Sie sind auf Seite 1von 18

SUSTAINABILITY OF POPULATION GROWTH AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Leah Frizzell

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.

More People, More Demand


Growth in population leads to increased demand for food, water and energy Limited supplies of natural resources cause shortages

Improved quality of life raises the demand per individual

Growth Rate v. Momentum


Population growth rates have been declining for the past 50 years. Birth rates have fallen below the replacement level in many parts of the world

However

THE POPULATION IS STILL GROWING!!

Developing Countries
Most population growth will occur in relatively low-income, developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia, as well as in much of the Middle East China's population hit 1.34 billion in 2011. An increase of 6.3 million since last year.

India's population rose to 1.21 billion people over the last 10 years -- an increase of 181 million people.
China is home to 19.4% of the worlds population and India houses 17.5%. Together they represent nearly 40% of the Earths population.

Malthus
In 1798, Thomas Robert Malthus published the first edition of An Essay on the Principle of Population Unrestrained population growth is not sustainable Limited natural resources, specifically food, will not support growing population In 1798 there were only 9 million people on Earth.

Food
The worlds food supply is stressed by the immense number of people there are to feed.

Dramatic population growth in infertile areas present additional challenges.


Innovative agricultural practices have resulted in food production outpacing population growth

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.

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

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 the planet and most of it lies under ground. water shortages result in many other world problems especially poverty, hunger, ecosystem degradation, desertification, and climate change.

Illustration by Jack Cook, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; USGS

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.

Water Useage
Approximately 80% of water is used for irrigated agriculture

Clean drinking water is vital to human existence, but difficult to obtain in many parts of the world 3.5 million people die from water-related disease annually

Energy

and water are closely linked. We use a lot of water to produce energy, especially fossil fuel energy. And we use a lot of energy to produce water" Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute for Studies and Development

Energy
Causes of increased demand for energy:
Global population growth
Economic growth in developing countries Improving quality of life for people around the world

Energy Sources
Oil Natural gas

Coal
Nuclear Renewables including solar, wind, and biofuels.

Fossil fuels provide approximately 85% of the planets energy needs.

Alternative Energy
New technologies are creating renewable energy sources to alleviate demand for fossil-fuels

Solar
Wind Water

Geothermal
Nuclear

Biofuels

Conclusion
Mans creativity and ingenuity continue to provide new technologies that improve the quality of life by developing new food sources, improved water resources, and new forms of energy.

The question remains: will it be enough?

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen