Population Density and Natural Resources

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SUSTAINABILITY OFPOPULATION

GROWTH ANDNATURAL RESOURCES

Leah Frizzell


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Global Population Growth

It took several thousand years for the population to double from 4 to 8 million.

Doubling from 3 billion to 6 billion took only 40 years.


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More People, More Demand

Growth in population leads toincreased demand for food, water and

energy

Limited supplies of natural resourcescause shortages

Improved quality of life raises thedemand per individual


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Growth Rate v.Momentum

Populationgrowthrates have been declining for thepast 50 years.

Birth rates have fallen below the replacement levelin many parts of the world

However

THE POPULATION ISSTILL GROWING!!


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Developing Countries

Most population growth will occur in relatively low-income,developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of SouthAsia, as well as in much of the Middle East

China's population hit 1.34 billion in 2011. An increase of 6.3million since last year.

India's population rose to 1.21 billion people over the last 10years -- an increase of 181 million people.

China is home to 19.4% of the worlds population and Indiahouses 17.5%. Together they represent nearly 40% of the Earthspopulation.


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Malthus

In 1798, Thomas Robert Malthus published the firstedition ofAn Essay on the Principle of Population

Unrestrained population growth is not sustainable

Limited natural resources, specifically food, will notsupport growing population

In 1798 there were only 9 million people on Earth.


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Food

The worlds food supply is stressed by the immensenumber of people there are to feed.

Dramatic population growth in infertile areaspresent additional challenges.

Innovative agricultural practices have resulted infood production outpacing population growth


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Green Revolution

Genetic Modified Plants

disease- and pesticide-resistant

Plant Breeding

High-yield, drought resistant

Increased Irrigation

Use of Pesticides and Fertilizers

The Costs: irreparable degradation to the soil, water,and air that all species depend on.


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Food production is not possible without water,another scarce resource under high demand


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Water

70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water

96% of water on Earth is salt water

Freshwater constitutes less than 4%of water on theplanet and most of it lies under ground.

water shortages result in many other world

problems especially poverty, hunger, ecosystemdegradation, desertification, and climate change.

Illustration by Jack Cook, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; USGS


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Aral Sea

Once the fourth largest lake in the world, the Aral Sea is now less than half of its

original size. The Aral Sea on June 4, 1977, Sept. 17, 1989, and May 27, 2006. Image courtesy of USGS.


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Water Useage

Approximately 80% ofwater is used for irrigatedagriculture

Clean drinking water isvital to human existence,but difficult to obtain inmany parts of the world

3.5 million people die fromwater-related diseaseannually


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Energy and water areclosely linked. We use

a lot of water toproduce energy,

especially fossil fuelenergy. And we use a

lot of energy to

produce water" PeterGleick, Pacific

Institute for Studiesand Development


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Energy

Causes of increased demand for energy:

Global population growth

Economic growth in developing countries

Improving quality of life for people around the world


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Energy Sources

Oil

Natural gas

Coal

Nuclear

Renewables including solar, wind, and biofuels.


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Fossil fuelsprovide

approximately

85% of theplanets energy

needs.


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Alternative Energy

New technologies are creating renewable energysources to alleviate demand for fossil-fuels

Solar

Wind

Water

Geothermal

Nuclear

Biofuels


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Population Density and Natural Resources

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