Episode 32
th
8 November 2011
Activity
World Population
Key Learning
Students will develop an understanding of the challenges a growing population brings to Australia and the
world.
The Australian Curriculum
Geography / Geographical Knowledge and
Understanding
Differences in the economic, demographic and social
characteristics between countries across the
world (ACHGK032)
History / Historical Knowledge and Understanding /
Australia as a Nation
The contribution of individuals and groups, including Aboriginal
people and/or Torres Strait Islanders and migrants, to the
development of Australian society, for example in areas such as
the economy, education, science, the arts, sport. (ACHHK116)
The world’s cultural diversity, including that of its indigenous
peoples (ACHGK033)
Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the issues raised in the World population story with another student.
2. The world population recently reached
a. 7 million
b. 7 billion
c.
77 billion
3. How much does the population grow each day?
4. Why has there been a huge growth in population in a short space of time?
5. What has happened to Australia’s population in the last 50 years?
6. What is Australia’s population expected to be by 2050?
7. What challenges does Australia face with a growing population?
8. Which countries are likely to be most affected by increased population?
9. What do scientists say we need to do to cope with more people in the world?
10. Do you think the population of the world should be controlled? Explain your answer.
©ABC 2011
Activities
Negotiate with students how many activities they will need to complete from each section.
Remember and Understand
Think about the words `world’ and `population’. Use the dictionary and internet to look for meanings,
information and synonyms for the words.
World
Population
Where do you fit into 7 billion? Enter your birth date to find out http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world15391515
Create a facts chart – 7 facts about 7 billion. Use the internet to find interesting facts about the population
reaching 7 billion.
Apply and Analyse
Research and respond to the following statement: `A world of 7 billion is both a challenge and an
opportunity.’
The graph at the following website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515 shows population growth
from 1500 to 2050. Roll you cursor over the graph to find out the precise number for a particular year.
What does the graph tell you? What happened from the 1950’s onwards? What does the population
graph tell us will be the world’s population by 2050?
Countries such as China and India have run campaigns to control population growth
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/population-campaign.html Do you think the number of children
people have should be controlled? Outline the pros and cons of trying to curb population growth.
Evaluate and Create
The 7 challenges for 7 billion story page has images of the issues facing a growing world population
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-02/7-issues-facing-7-billion-people/3610318 Find or create your own
images that illustrate each challenge and present them as a slideshow or digital story.
©ABC 2011
Complete the personal footprint quiz to find out your ecological footprint and discover your biggest areas
of resource consumption. You can also find out what you can do to reduce the impact you have on the
earth.
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/
The world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050. Create a picture book or board game that
explains to children some of the challenges facing Australia and the world with an increasing population.
 Related Research Links
ABC News – Cheers and fears as world population hits 7bn
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-10-31/cheers-and-fears-as-world-population-hits-7bn/3611196
World of 7 billion – Official website
http://www.worldof7billion.org/
World of 7 billion – 7 billion and counting
http://www.worldof7billion.org/images/uploads/w7b_Seven_Billion_and_Counting.pdf
CBBC Newsround – World population is 7 billion and counting
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/15517386
BBC News – The world at 7 billion
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15391515
©ABC 2011