Pressures on the planet Agribusiness Agribusiness Focus on large scale farming to promote profits Focus on large scale farming to promote profits Concerns Concerns Focus on cash crops in developing countries makes them dependant on international trade Focus on cash crops in developing countries makes them dependant on international trade Loss of local ownership of land Loss of local ownership of land Increasing competition by corporate farms in South America is creating strain for farmers in Canada Increasing competition by corporate farms in South America is creating strain for farmers in Canada Increasing use of pesticides and herbicides (Green Revolution of the mid 20 th century) Increasing use of pesticides and herbicides (Green Revolution of the mid 20 th century) “Think global, act local”

Kyoto Protocol CNN summary CNN summary coren.kyoto.backgrounder.cnn.html coren.kyoto.backgrounder.cnn.html coren.kyoto.backgrounder.cnn.html coren.kyoto.backgrounder.cnn.html

Pressures on the Planet Increasing population and the corresponding demands on the world’s resources

The Theory of Demographic Transition Researchers noticed the change from a society with high birth rates and death rates to one with low birth and death rates usually accompanies industrialization, modernization and a rise in living standards (first observed in Great Britain - first to industrialize). Researchers noticed the change from a society with high birth rates and death rates to one with low birth and death rates usually accompanies industrialization, modernization and a rise in living standards (first observed in Great Britain - first to industrialize). Debated whether or not all countries will go through the same transition, as most of the nations that have gone through the transition are mainly “western” (religion, culture play a role) Debated whether or not all countries will go through the same transition, as most of the nations that have gone through the transition are mainly “western” (religion, culture play a role)

Phase One high birth and death rates high birth and death rates a few countries in Africa and Asia a few countries in Africa and Asia unaffected by industrialization unaffected by industrialization

Phase Two high birth rates but death rates coming down = increased rate of natural increase (population grows) high birth rates but death rates coming down = increased rate of natural increase (population grows) most Asian countries, Central Africa and parts of Latin America most Asian countries, Central Africa and parts of Latin America mostly undeveloped but have been exposed to some modernization, especially medicine mostly undeveloped but have been exposed to some modernization, especially medicine

Phase Three very low death rates and birth rates high, but gradually starting to fall = high rate of natural increase very low death rates and birth rates high, but gradually starting to fall = high rate of natural increase underdeveloped but are not isolated from the modern world; significant technological advances underdeveloped but are not isolated from the modern world; significant technological advances

Phase Four Acceptance and availability of birth control leads to a major drop in the birth rate and death rates remain low = natural increase rate moderately high Acceptance and availability of birth control leads to a major drop in the birth rate and death rates remain low = natural increase rate moderately high developing nations developing nations Beijing China Bangalore IndiaBangalore India

Phase Five low birth rate and low death rates (at times becoming higher than birth rates due to couples having fewer children to replace themselves) = low or negative natural increase low birth rate and low death rates (at times becoming higher than birth rates due to couples having fewer children to replace themselves) = low or negative natural increase the most advanced nations of the world: Europe, Australasia, Anglo-America, parts of Asia (Japan) the most advanced nations of the world: Europe, Australasia, Anglo-America, parts of Asia (Japan) Calgary Tokyo

Why so many babies? Birth control too expensive Birth control too expensive Male dominated societies Male dominated societies Son-mania Son-mania Religion Religion Economic – workers, retirement Economic – workers, retirement

Attempted Solutions In India they would tell people they had a job, then pay them to get sterilized (sometimes by force) In India they would tell people they had a job, then pay them to get sterilized (sometimes by force) China – one child policy (has reduced population growth – younger generations sometimes don’t want any children, but has led to infanticide and human rights abuses) China – one child policy (has reduced population growth – younger generations sometimes don’t want any children, but has led to infanticide and human rights abuses) Indonesia – education campaigns and promotions to encourage the use of contraception (church opposition) Indonesia – education campaigns and promotions to encourage the use of contraception (church opposition)

What impact does this have on the environment? The People Bomb

Impact of Population Not just the number of people but also their impact on the environment Not just the number of people but also their impact on the environment baby in US has 30 times greater environmental impact than a baby in developing nation (autos, electrical appliances, garbage, material goods) baby in US has 30 times greater environmental impact than a baby in developing nation (autos, electrical appliances, garbage, material goods) North American overpopulation is a bigger problem for the planet – the industrialized world is only ¼ of the population, but they use ¾ of the world’s energy North American overpopulation is a bigger problem for the planet – the industrialized world is only ¼ of the population, but they use ¾ of the world’s energy

Urban Sprawl – Environmental Footprint Beijing, China – 13 million people, 3000 km 2 for city - 17,000 km 2 suburbs

Calgary - 1 million people, ; 5083 km 2 including suburbs

Issues of waste, water usage, loss of farmland, over- consumption of resources by developed nations and poor use of resources (like burning wood for fuel) in developing nations

Humans release carbon dioxide faster than plants can absorb it. Mother and cub drifting 12 miles out to sea Impact of Climate Change

Industrial Pollution

Essential questions…. What is sustainable prosperity? What choices are associated with sustainable prosperity?