The Matter of Unsustainable
Population Growth
SEASAC 2016
GA2
Xander Hoskinson
Introduction and Overview
By 2050, the United Nations has projected an additional 3 billion people will be
added to the planet.The size of the human population is becoming increasingly
correlated with its condition, finite resources continuing to function as the basis
of human existence. The issue of unsustainable population growth is an
unstable blend of human numbers, levels of resource consumption, and the
types of technology (those influencing the environment) we use; and how an
imminent surge in either will shape our future. Humanity's response to this
global issue will prove to be a crucial test of our compromise, will, and
commitment.
Key Terms
Birth rate (or crude birth rate): The annual number of births per 1,000 total population.
Death Rate (or crude death rate): The number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year.
Growth rate: The number of persons added to (or subtracted from) a population in a year due to natural increase and net
migration; expressed as a percentage of the population at the beginning of the time period.
Stable Population: A population with an unchanging rate of growth and an unchanging age composition as a result of agespecific birth and death rates that have remained constant over a sufficient period of time.
Pronatalist Policy: The policy of a government, society, or social group to increase population growth by attempting to raise
the number of births.
Replacement–Level Fertility: The level of fertility at which a couple has only enough children to replace themselves, or about
two children per couple.
http://www.prb.org/Publications/Lesson-Plans/Glossary.aspx
Key Terms (continued)
Population Density: Measurement of human numbers per unit area
Population Distribution: The patterns of settlement and dispersal of a population.
Population Control: A broad concept that addresses the relationship between fertility, mortality, and migration, but is most
commonly used to refer to efforts to slow population growth through action to lower fertility. It should not be confused with
family planning.
Carrying Capacity: The maximum sustainable size of a resident population in a given ecosystem.
Natality: Births as a component of population change.
Doubling time: The number of years required for the population of an area to double its present size, given the current rate of
population growth.
http://www.prb.org/Publications/Lesson-Plans/Glossary.aspx
Major Parties Involved
Less Economically Developed Countries: Most LEDC’s are experiencing rapid population growth, and
exist in stage 2 or 3 of the demographic transition model, which means they have falling death rates
(due to improved health care), while birth rates remain high.
Causes of Population Growth in LEDC’s:
- Limited access to family planning and education about contraception
- Value of children for labour and family income - working on farms etc.
- High rates of infant mortality means women need to have more children to ensure some survive to
adulthood
- May be culturally/traditionally important to have a large family
Major Parties Involved
More Economically Developed Countries: Most MEDC’s are in stage 4 of the demographic transition
model, where population is high, but not growing. Some countries have a declining population and
could be said to be entering stage 5 (where birth rate is lower than death rate e.g Japan).
Higher Average Life Expectancy is rising in MEDC’s due to:
- Improvements in health care and medicine
- Increased leisure and recreation time
- Improved education on importance of diet and exercise
- Improved living standards and quality of life
UN Involvement
UN Population Report (2014) - Overview of International Demographics, acting as a foundation for
national policy on a variety of global issues:
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/trends/Concise%20Report%20on
%20the%20World%20Population%20Situation%202014/en.pdf
“The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is a vital interface
between global policies in the economic, social and environmental spheres and national action”
Potential Solutions
While writing resolutions, consider potential solutions from the perspectives of LEDC’s and MEDC’s,
such as:
-
Education in LEDC’s on the value and use of contraceptives
-
Improved access to family planning services in LEDC’s
-
The management of water and marine ecosystems
-
Tradable permit schemes to regulate the exchange of finite natural resources
-
Strengthening relationship between national policy and scientific research
-
Public pension funds that are securitised to avoid fiscal mismanagement
Research Sources
http://www.prb.org/Publications/Lesson-Plans/HumanPopulation/PopulationGrowth.aspx
http://search.proquest.com/docview/204004781/E6302139C3224961PQ/7?accountid=74409 (May
need a school-affiliated account to view)
http://www.prb.org/Publications/Lesson-Plans/Glossary.aspx
Additional Resources:
http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/publications/files/key_findings_wpp_2015.pdf
http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/