World Should Prepare for 11 Billion or More People
David Biello
Scientific American
September 19, 2014
Full article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/world-should-prepare-for-11-billion-or-more-people/
Topic: Global population
Summary:
The world experienced the highest rate of human population growth in 1970s. Since then, many countries such as Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and America have dramatically experienced birth rate decline due to a wide range of factors. However, experts estimated that the global population would increase from 7.2 billion to 10 billion by 2050. This depends on the rate of fertility in Africa because higher fertility means more children. Methods for forecasting human population size include arbitrary assumptions which add or subtract half a child to deliver high and low population estimates. Education also plays a major role in population growth. Educated women are for more likely to have access to contraception and better family planning; thus, they tend to have fewer kids.
Reflection:
This article stood out because as an APES student, global population growth is very important because it ties in with overpopulation which is currently the biggest environmental issue. I found the fact that Africa’s fertility and population will determine the “fate of human population growth or decline” in the century to be extremely interesting. Currently, Africa is fighting against a deadly disease called Ebola which has killed millions in the country; therefore, this will have a profound effect on the global population. Because human population size is “one of the leading factors influencing the global economy, environment and human health,” better methods must be implemented to forecast human population size.
David Biello
Scientific American
September 19, 2014
Full article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/world-should-prepare-for-11-billion-or-more-people/
Topic: Global population
Summary:
The world experienced the highest rate of human population growth in 1970s. Since then, many countries such as Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and America have dramatically experienced birth rate decline due to a wide range of factors. However, experts estimated that the global population would increase from 7.2 billion to 10 billion by 2050. This depends on the rate of fertility in Africa because higher fertility means more children. Methods for forecasting human population size include arbitrary assumptions which add or subtract half a child to deliver high and low population estimates. Education also plays a major role in population growth. Educated women are for more likely to have access to contraception and better family planning; thus, they tend to have fewer kids.
Reflection:
This article stood out because as an APES student, global population growth is very important because it ties in with overpopulation which is currently the biggest environmental issue. I found the fact that Africa’s fertility and population will determine the “fate of human population growth or decline” in the century to be extremely interesting. Currently, Africa is fighting against a deadly disease called Ebola which has killed millions in the country; therefore, this will have a profound effect on the global population. Because human population size is “one of the leading factors influencing the global economy, environment and human health,” better methods must be implemented to forecast human population size.