copyright © allyn & bacon 2007 chapter 15 population, global inequality and the environmental...

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

Chapter 15

Population, Global Inequality and the Environmental Crisis

This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law:

• Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network;

• Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images;

• Any rental, lease, or lending of the program.


Population Growth as a Problem

The world’s population: Is more than 6 billion Has doubled in the last 50 years Will double again in the next 50 years, if

trends continue

Concern: Can the earth’s resources support this growth?


Population Growth

Growth rates vary among nations High-income nations (i.e. US) have lower growth rates Low-income nations (i.e. Africa) have higher growth

rates

Population All people living in a specified region

Demography Study of size, composition, and distribution of

populations


Factors that Affect Population Growth Fertility

Actual number of children born to an individual or population

Associated with social and biological factors

Mortality Number of deaths in a specific population Infant mortality rates & life expectancy

Migration Movement of people from one geographic area to

another to live


Population Growth and its Effects on Society

Population growth affects the biological and social characteristics of a population

Age, sex, race Marital status Education, occupation, income Size of household

Example: In the U.S., age distribution of population affects the need for schools, employment opportunities, health care, and age-appropriate housing.


Major Theoretical Perspectives on Overpopulation

Malthusian Perspective (1798) Population expands geometrically (1,2,4,8,16...) while

food supply increases arithmetically (1,2,3,4,5...)

Disaster can be averted Positive checks (e.g., famine, disease, war) Preventive checks (e.g, sexual abstinence,

delayed marriage)


Major Theoretical Perspectives on Overpopulation, Cont’d.

Neo-Malthusian Perspective The earth is a ticking time bomb because

population exacerbates environmental problems

Demographic Transition Theory Societies move from high birth and death

rates to low birth and death rates as a result of technological development


Solutions to World Hunger

Green revolutionGrowing of high yield “miracle” crops

Biotechnological revolution“Improving” plants or animals or using

microorganisms in innovative ways

Note: Some social analysts believe the solution is not to produce more food but to control fertility


Figure 15.1:

The Circle of Malnutrition

Source: Based on United Nations, 1995


Immigration and the U.S. Population Composition Proportion of immigrants in the U.S. population

is the highest since 1940 Immigration will account for two-thirds of the

population growth in the next 50 years Immigration leads to higher taxes but also

brings substantial economic benefits US population policies focus on immigration –

particularly illegal immigrants


Map 15.1:

Urban Population as a Percent of Total National Population

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2004c.


Environmental Degradation and Causes Environmental Degradation

Disruptions to the environment that have negative consequences for ecosystems

CausesAs humans pursue economic development

and growth, they cause environmental degradation

Removing natural resources and increasing pollution


Major Source of Air Pollution and its Effect

Acid Rain Rainfall with large concentrations of sulfuric acid and

nitric acids

Greenhouse Effect Environmental condition caused by excessive carbon

dioxide, water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere leading to global warming

Causes Fossil fuel pollution, mostly from vehicles but also

from industry


Water, Soil, and Forest Problems

Water scarcity is increasing on a global basis Water pollution further diminishes the supply A major water polluter in the U.S. is the paper-

manufacturing industry 15 million acres of forest are lost to

desertification Overgrazing Harmful agricultural practices Deforestation (greatest in middle- and low-income

nations)


Solid, Toxic, and Nuclear Waste Problems

High income nations are running out of space for solid waste produced by “disposable societies” 16 billion diapers, 2 billion razors, 220 million tires are

disposed of each year in the US

Toxic waste from hazardous by-products of industry causes death and disease if not disposed of properly Love Canal

Nuclear waste remains deadly for a long time


Functionalist Perspective on Population and the Environment

Latent dysfunctions of technology cause problems, but new technologies can solve them

Social institutions, especially education and government, can cooperate to solve the problems


Conflict PerspectiveClassic Marxist If poverty were alleviated, there would be enough food

for all Poverty exists because capitalists skim workers’ wages

for profit

Contemporary conflict Corporations and government make economic decisions

that result in environmental problems

Eco-feminism Patriarchy is a root cause of environmental problems as

nature is viewed as something to be possessed and dominated


Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Through socialization, children learn core values that are often detrimental to the environment

However, there is some indication that concern for the environment is becoming a core value in the U.S.

copyright © allyn & bacon 2007 chapter 15 population, global inequality and the environmental...

Documents