The Problems of Overpopulation

1. The Problems of Overpopulation Egypt has been able to successfully decreased its total fertility rate through religion (religious leaders hold meetings to educate women about birth control, no longer consider it a sin) and the media (soap operas and game shows).Egypt has been able to successfully decreased its total fertility rate through religion (religious leaders hold meetings to educate women about birth control, no longer consider it a sin) and the media (soap operas and game shows).

2. Population and Quality of Life Environmental degradation Hunger Persistent poverty Economic stagnation Urban deterioration Health issues

3. Environmental Impact Model to show mathematical relationship between environmental impacts and the forces that drive them: I = P x A x T

4. Environmental Impact I?environmental impact (Ex: env. impact of CO2 emissions from cars) P?number of people (total # of people driving cars) A?affluence (amount of resources consumed) per person (# miles driven per person) T?environmental effects of the technologies used to obtain and consume the resources (CO2 emissions per mile)

5. Environmental Impact Must be interpreted with care because we often do not understand all the environmental impacts of a particular technology Valuable because it helps identify what we don�t know or understand about consumption and its environmental impact

6. Population and Quality of Life Population and World Hunger More than 800 million people around the world do not get enough food to eat. Most of the people who die from hunger do not die from famines, but from chronic hunger. We can produce enough food to feed everyone, but the food is unevenly distributed. More than 800 million people around the world do not get enough food to eat. Most of the people who die from hunger do not die from famines, but from chronic hunger. We can produce enough food to feed everyone, but the food is unevenly distributed.

7. Population and Quality of Life Different proposed strategies for reducing hunger: 1) Strictly control population growth 2) Stimulate economic development 3) Provide better equitability of resources

8. Population and Quality of Life Economic Effects of Continued Population Growth Competing hypotheses: Hypothesis 1: Rapid population growth ? ?economic development + ?technological innovation. Hypothesis 2: Rapid population growth does the opposite.

9. Population and Quality of Life Economic Effects of Continued Population Growth Debt in Developing Countries If a country is to raise its standard of living, its economic growth must be greater than its population growth. Many developing nations have realized economic growth despite increases in population, largely because of financial assistance in the form of loans from banks and governments of highly developed nations, or from multilateral institutions such as the World Bank. Many of these countries now have so much debt, they cannot obtain any more loans. However, many debts have been restructured and even forgiven.If a country is to raise its standard of living, its economic growth must be greater than its population growth. Many developing nations have realized economic growth despite increases in population, largely because of financial assistance in the form of loans from banks and governments of highly developed nations, or from multilateral institutions such as the World Bank. Many of these countries now have so much debt, they cannot obtain any more loans. However, many debts have been restructured and even forgiven.

10. Reducing the Total Fertility Rate Why is Total Fertility Typically High? Gender defined roles High fertility to compensate for high mortality Work expectations of children Religious beliefs

11. Reducing the Total Fertility Rate The Social and Economic Status of Women Gender inequity is common worldwide

12. Reducing the Total Fertility Rate The Social and Economic Status of Women Gender inequity is common worldwide Younger age of marriage ? ? fertility rates 2 developing countries in South Central Asia: Sri Lanka�Average age at marriage is 25, the average number of children born per woman is 2, it will take the population 58 years to double Bangladesh�average age at marriage is 17, the average number of children born per woman is 3.3, it will take the population 32 years to double2 developing countries in South Central Asia: Sri Lanka�Average age at marriage is 25, the average number of children born per woman is 2, it will take the population 58 years to double Bangladesh�average age at marriage is 17, the average number of children born per woman is 3.3, it will take the population 32 years to double

13. Reducing the Total Fertility Rate The Social and Economic Status of Women Gender inequity is common worldwide Younger age of marriage ? ? fertility rates Higher level of education ? ? fertility rates

14. Reducing the Total Fertility Rate Family Planning Services Family planning services�services that enable men and women to limit family size, safeguard individual health rights, and improve the quality of life for themselves and their children Contraceptive use blue bars; fertility rate red bars Family planning services are increasingly offering services/education for males Family planning services�services that enable men and women to limit family size, safeguard individual health rights, and improve the quality of life for themselves and their children Contraceptive use blue bars; fertility rate red bars Family planning services are increasingly offering services/education for males

15. Government Policies and Fertility China�s Controversial Family Planning Policy China has largest population in the world 1979: incentives for couples who only had one child, punishment for breaking that pledge birth rate dropped from 5.8 in 1970 to 2.1 in 1981 1984: policy relaxed in rural China China has largest population in the world 1979: incentives for couples who only had one child, punishment for breaking that pledge birth rate dropped from 5.8 in 1970 to 2.1 in 1981 1984: policy relaxed in rural China

16. Government Policies and Fertility India�s Severe Population Pressure Early efforts centered on compulsory sterilization. (which was a complete failure) Currently attempting to integrate economic development and family planning. (total fertility rates have dropped) First country to establish government-sponsored family planning 1976: required sterilization practices Now rely on education; birth rate dropped from 5.3 in 1980 to 3.3 in 2000First country to establish government-sponsored family planning 1976: required sterilization practices Now rely on education; birth rate dropped from 5.3 in 1980 to 3.3 in 2000

17. Government Policies and Fertility Mexico�s Young Age Structure Strong positive population growth momentum due to high % young. Government measures (e.g., education reform) have reduced the fertility rate. Population problems due to many young people Traditionally encouraged population growth, but have now changed Have focused on education, family planning, health care and regional development Birth rate dropped from 6.7 in 1970 to 2.7 in 2000 Population problems due to many young people Traditionally encouraged population growth, but have now changed Have focused on education, family planning, health care and regional development Birth rate dropped from 6.7 in 1970 to 2.7 in 2000

18. Government Policies and Fertility The Population Challenge in Nigeria Most populous African country with high a fertility rate. Birth control use very low (8%). Government attempting to improve health care and encourage marrying later. Total fertility rate holding steady at 6 Currently working on plans for reducing population growthTotal fertility rate holding steady at 6 Currently working on plans for reducing population growth

19. Government Policies and Fertility Population Concerns in Europe: Opposite of most areas � fertility rate very low. Pronatalists predict overwhelmed pension programs and loss of economic growth. Opponents predict technological innovations will spur economic growth and the elderly will be asset to society.

20. Government Policies and Fertility Case-in-Point: The Global Summit on Population and Development Focused on: Reproductive rights Empowerment of women Reproductive health Third and most recent held in Cairo in 1994 Developed a plan and asked nations to support, but not a lawThird and most recent held in Cairo in 1994 Developed a plan and asked nations to support, but not a law

21. Achieving Population Stabilization Discuss some of the ethical issues associated with overpopulation: Is it ethical to have more than 2 children? Is it ethical to consume to much in the way of material possessions? Is it ethical to try to influence a couple�s decision about family size? People Overpopulation�a country has too many people, which worsens environment Consumption Overpopulation�there are not too many people, but each person consumes too many resources; also degrades environmentPeople Overpopulation�a country has too many people, which worsens environment Consumption Overpopulation�there are not too many people, but each person consumes too many resources; also degrades environment