Environmental Law, Population Policies, and Demographic Models

What is the main assertion of the Juliana vs U.S case?

Federal policies promoting fossil fuel use violate constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property.

What does the Juliana vs U.S lawsuit demand from the federal government?

To stop subsidizing fossil fuels and take actions to stabilize the climate by limiting atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

When was the Juliana vs U.S case first launched?

In 2015.

What doctrine does the Juliana vs U.S case rely heavily on?

The public trust doctrine.

What major policy did China implement in 1970 to control population growth?

The one-child policy.

What were the benefits for families with only one child under China's one-child policy?

Better jobs, housing, medical care, and education.

What unintended consequences arose from China's one-child policy?

A shrinking labor force, an aging population, and a gender imbalance.

What is the average number of children per woman in China following the one-child policy?

1.6 children.

What is the global population growth rate per year?

Over 80 million people annually.

What is the IPAT model used for?

To understand the impact of human activities on the environment.

In the IPAT model, what does 'I' represent?

Total environmental impact.

What does 'P' stand for in the IPAT model?

Population.

How does affluence (A) affect environmental impact according to the IPAT model?

It increases impact through higher per capita resource consumption.

What can technology (T) do to environmental impact?

It can either increase or decrease environmental impact.

What demographic factors do demographers study?

Population size, density, distribution, age structure, sex ratio, and rates of birth, death, immigration, and emigration.

Which countries have the largest populations?

China (1.39 billion), India (1.37 billion), and the United States (328 million).

How does population distribution affect environmental impact?

High population density areas experience significant human impact, while low-density areas are sensitive to environmental degradation.

What does age structure describe in a population?

The relative numbers of individuals in each age class.

What can a population pyramid indicate about future population dynamics?

A wide base suggests potential for rapid population growth.

What is the natural sex ratio at birth?

Approximately 106 males for every 100 females.

What has caused a significant decrease in infant mortality rates historically?

Better nutrition, prenatal care, and medical assistance during birth.

What are the two types of migration?

Immigration (arriving in a country) and emigration (leaving a country).

What are common reasons for migration?

Economic opportunities, conflict, or environmental degradation.

How does immigration affect population sizes of nations?

It increases population sizes but does not impact the global human population.

What is the significance of net migration rates?

They indicate the difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants in a country.

What challenges does an aging population pose for governments?

Strain on resources and financial burden on the only children supporting retired parents.

What is the projected global population by 2050?

Approaching 10 billion.

What factors have contributed to the rapid reduction in death rates?

Technological innovations, improved sanitation, better medical care, and increased agricultural output.

What does net migration rate measure?

The difference between the number of immigrants and emigrants in a country.

What type of net migration rates do countries with welcoming immigration policies experience?

Positive net migration rates.

What is the Total Fertility Rate (TFR)?

The average number of children born per woman during her lifetime.

What TFR is considered the replacement fertility rate?

Typically around 2.1 for most nations.

What happens to population size if TFR is above 2.1?

The population is expected to grow.

What happens to population size if TFR is below 2.1?

The population is expected to shrink without immigration.

What factors reduce Total Fertility Rates (TFR)?

Industrialization, improved women's rights, access to family planning, and quality health care.

What is the global trend in life expectancy over the past 50 years?

Life expectancy has increased from 46 to 71 years.

What has contributed significantly to the increase in life expectancy?

The reduction in infant mortality rates.

What does life expectancy refer to?

The average number of years an individual in a particular age group is likely to live.

What is the demographic transition model?

A model explaining the shift from high birth and death rates in pre-industrial societies to low birth and death rates in post-industrial societies.

What marks the beginning of the transitional stage in the demographic transition model?

Industrialization.

What occurs during the industrial stage of the demographic transition?

Birth rates decrease as employment opportunities increase, especially for women.

What characterizes the post-industrial stage of the demographic transition?

Both birth and death rates are low and stable.

What is demographic fatigue?

When developing nations face overwhelming challenges due to large populations, hindering their ability to complete the demographic transition.

Which region is currently experiencing demographic fatigue?

Sub-Saharan Africa.

What major health issue significantly impacts productivity in nations?

AIDS.

What is the population of China and India combined?

Over 2.7 billion people, representing one-third of the global population.

What was one of India's first national population control policies?

The introduction of sterilization in the 1970s.

What is India's current focus in population control efforts?

Family planning and reproductive health care.

What is the role of family planning in population growth?

It allows women and couples to plan the number and spacing of their children.

What are some methods of contraception?

Condoms, spermicides, hormonal treatments, IUDs, and permanent sterilization.

What percentage of women aged 15-49 globally used modern contraceptives in 2018?

56%.

What are barriers to contraceptive usage in some countries?

Limited availability, especially in rural areas, and religious or cultural influences.

What is the reproductive window for women?

The period from sexual maturity to menopause.

What societal factors are connected to the demographic transition model?

Population changes are linked with societal factors such as public health, cultural influences, and economic conditions.

What has historically been the U.S. contribution to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)?

Support for family planning, sustainable development, poverty reduction, reproductive health, and AIDS prevention.

What stance have Republican administrations taken regarding funding for UNFPA?

Withholding funds due to concerns over coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.

What benefits are associated with women's empowerment in relation to population growth?

Lower fertility rates, better care for children, healthier children, and better-educated children.

How does affluence affect population growth rates?

Wealthier societies generally exhibit lower population growth rates compared to poorer societies.

What is the global population as of 2018?

Exceeding 7.6 billion.

How does a nation's population size affect its environmental impact?

A larger population typically increases resource consumption and environmental impact.

What was the global population as of 2018?

Over 7.6 billion.

What was the average per capita income in 2017?

$16,927 per year.

What is the average ecological footprint per person as of 2017?

2.8 hectares.

How is the national ecological footprint calculated?

By multiplying the population by the per capita ecological footprint.

What does the IPAT equation stand for?

Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology.

How can technology influence a country's environmental impact?

Technology can either increase or decrease total impact, such as renewable energy reducing impact.

What is the significance of pollinators in agriculture?

They are vital for the pollination of over 150 food crops in North America.

How much do honeybees contribute to U.S. agriculture annually?

More than $15 billion.

What innovative practice did Sran Family Orchards implement for pollinators?

They planted 24 acres of hedgerows with native flowering plants.

What is the purpose of the Bee Better Certified program?

To recognize farms that support pollinator health and habitat.

What sustainable practices has the University of Michigan's dining services adopted?

They grow food on campus and aim for 20% of food to be sustainably sourced by 2025.

What was the initial funding for the University of Michigan's campus farm?

$42,000 grant from the university's sustainability program.

What is the role of MDining in sustainability?

MDining incorporates sustainable practices and sources food from the campus farm.

What is the ecological impact of the proposed commercial highway across the Serengeti?

It threatens the migration of over 1.2 million wildebeest and other wildlife.

Who are the Maasai people?

Native to the Serengeti region, they coexist with wildlife through semi-nomadic herding.

What are the two main protected areas for the Serengeti ecosystem?

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

What is the impact of industrial farming in the San Joaquin Valley?

It has degraded soil, water, and air quality, and increased water and nutrient needs.

What is the ecological footprint of a country?

The total environmental impact of a country's population and affluence.

What does the term 'culinary sustainability' refer to?

Practices that promote sustainable food sourcing and reduce waste in dining services.

How does the University of Massachusetts Amherst contribute to sustainability?

It runs the largest collegiate dining program sourced from local farmers.

What is the significance of the drip irrigation system at Sran Family Orchards?

It conserves water and provides a year-round water source for bees.

What percentage reduction in water use did Sran Family Orchards achieve?

18% reduction.

What is the role of integrated pest management in Sran Family Orchards?

To minimize pesticide use while maintaining crop health.

What is the purpose of the Bee Campus USA initiative?

To promote pollinator-friendly practices on college and university campuses.

What is the ecological significance of the annual migration in the Serengeti?

It supports a complex ecosystem involving various predators and prey.

What are the challenges faced by pollinators today?

Decline in habitat and loss of diverse natural flowering resources.

What two reserves protect the Serengeti ecosystem?

Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

How many visitors does ecotourism attract annually to the Serengeti ecosystem?

2 million visitors.

What economic impact does ecotourism have on the local economy?

It injects nearly $3 billion and creates numerous jobs.

What is a major concern regarding the proposed highway in Tanzania?

It could disrupt migration routes and increase poaching.

What does biodiversity refer to?

The variety of life across all levels of biological organization.

What is genetic diversity?

The differences in DNA composition among individuals within a species.

What is inbreeding depression?

It occurs when genetically similar individuals mate, leading to weak or defective offspring.

Give an example of a species with low genetic diversity.

American bison, elephant seals, or cheetahs.

What is ecosystem diversity?

The number and variety of ecosystems, communities, or habitats.

Why is biodiversity crucial for food supply?

Historically, humans have utilized over 7000 plant species and several thousand animal species for food.

What percentage of global food comes from just 15 crop species?

90%.

What is the significance of the rosy periwinkle of Madagascar?

It produces compounds that treat Hodgkin's disease and a deadly form of leukemia.

What role do keystone species play in ecosystems?

They significantly impact ecosystems; their removal can lead to cascading effects.

What is the rivet metaphor in biodiversity?

The idea that losing a few species may not cause immediate failure, but more losses compromise the ecosystem.