1. Human Population Growth The number one threat to the environment is a growing human population.

2. How fast are we growing? The population reached 6.4 billion in 2004. The United Nation projects that world population for the year 2050 could range from 7.9 billion to 10.9 billion, depending on the actions we take today. (http://www.cwac.net/population/index.html) Approximately 260,000 people are born every day, that’s 180 new babies every minute!

3. Why is this a problem for the planet? Each person requires energy, living space, and uses limited resources. This means less of these resources for other species. http://www.sciam.com/media/inline/98C5FE65-A020-5F51- B412A21443174649_1.jpg

4. Why is the human population growing at such an alarming rate? Technology, sanitation, and medical advancements have decreased the death rate. Examples: - antibiotics to kill bacterial infections like tuberculosis. –vaccines to prevent diseases like small pox and polio. –Life support, defibrillators, cures for disease.

5. Why is the human population growing at such an alarming rate? Modern farming methods allow us to provide a surplus of food. –Better farming tools and fertilizers allow us to grow more crops.

6. There is a net growth in the human population each year. The death rate is decreasing. This means more people are being added to the population but less are leaving each year.

7. If we do not control our growth what is at risk? Clean water Energy sources to run our technology Clean air Cropland for farming Open spaces (wilderness) Fisheries (wild fish populations) Biodiversity—species may go extinct