G3 MANUSCRIPT

The Population Problem

Submission Requirements

Submitted to: Dr. Angelina MaticSubmitted by: Group 3Members:

• De Guzman, Melanie C.

• Dino, Antoinette Mitzi J.

• Escaros, John Gerald T.

• Francisco, Leah Joy M.

• Godoy, Resheila Jessel M.University of Caloocan CityLocation: Lot 8 Congressional Village, Congressional Avenue, Brgy. 173 North Caloocan CityCollege of Liberal Arts and SciencesProgram: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Introduction

World Population

• Current Estimate: Approximately 8 billion people globally

• Annual Growth Rate: 1.8%, indicating a significant increase in global population each year

• Annual Births: Around 135 million babies are born each year, highlighting the ongoing demographic changes.

Definition of Overpopulation

• Definition: Overpopulation occurs when the number of individuals exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, which can lead to various unsustainable conditions.

• Influencing Factors: The degree of overpopulation is greatly influenced by the ratio of population to the sustainable resources available, such as water, food, and energy.

Effects of Rapid Population Growth

On Resources:

• Rapid growth leads to strained basic resources, including food, clean air, potable water, fossil fuels, and depletion of the ozone layer.

On Social Problems:

• Increased population density in urban areas can result in elevated stress levels, decreased community friendliness, and higher crime rates, ultimately affecting societal cohesion.

On Personal Freedom:

• As population density increases, so do restrictions on personal freedoms, including traffic congestion, housing shortages, and limited access to public spaces.

On Other Species:

• The rise of human populations threatens biodiversity, leading to habitat loss and disruption of ecosystem balance, which endangers many species.

Causes of Rapid Population Growth

1. Advances from the Industrial Revolution:

   • Significant increases in agricultural productivity through mechanization and improved farming techniques

   • Enhancements in public health, leading to better sanitation and clean water access, drastically reducing mortality rates

   • Medical technology advancements like the development of vaccines and antibiotics have led to a significant decline in death rates

   • Gains in education, particularly among women, leading to higher living standards and improved healthcare access.

Fertility Rate

• Definition: The fertility rate represents the average number of babies born to women during their reproductive years, usually categorized as ages 15-49.

• Replacement Level: A fertility rate of approximately 2.1 is necessary to maintain a stable population in the long term

Influential Factors on Fertility Rates:

• Health & Medicine: Access to quality healthcare and reproductive services significantly affects fertility rates

• Education: Higher levels of education, particularly for women, correlate with reduced birth rates as family planning becomes more common.

• Economy & Cost of Living: Financial constraints heavily influence family size decisions and choices regarding childbearing.

• Culture & Religion: Societal norms and values regarding family size and child-rearing practice vary significantly among cultures, impacting fertility rates.

• Government Policies: Different government approaches, such as incentives for larger families or promotion of family planning, can shape national fertility trends.

Rate of Natural Increase

• Formula: The natural increase rate (r) can be calculated using the formula: ( r = \text{Birth Rate (b)} - \text{Death Rate (d)} ). This reflects how populations grow or shrink over time.

Migration Overview

• Definition: Migration refers to the movement of people or animals from one location to another, impacting population dynamics.

Types:

1. Internal Migration: Movement within the borders of a country, such as from rural to urban areas.

2. External Migration: Cross-border movement, often driven by factors like economic opportunities or conflict.

3. Immigration: Moving into a country, typically in search of better living standards.

4. Emigration: Refers to leaving one’s home country to reside in another.

Voluntary vs. Forced Migration

• Migration can be voluntary, as individuals seek opportunities, or forced, often due to war, persecution, or natural disasters.

Population Age Structure

• Definition: A demographic breakdown of the population by age groups, targeting groups of individuals of the same species in a specified area.

Population Characteristics:

• Natality: The birth rate, representing the number of individuals added through reproduction.

• Mortality: The death rate, indicating the number of individuals lost through death, measured annually.

• Sex Ratio and Age Distribution: These factors significantly influence reproduction rates and societal dynamics.

• Population Density: Affected by habitat quality and the availability of natural resources, which can result in varying growth patterns.

• Organism Migration: Out-migration may occur due to overcrowding or environmental pressures, impacting local ecosystems and communities.

Population Growth Patterns

Phases of Population Growth:

1. Lag Phase: Slow growth where organisms are reaching sexual maturity and population begins to start increasing.

2. Exponential Growth Phase: Characterized by rapid population increase, as reproduction accelerates and resources are abundant.

3. Stable Equilibrium Phase: The rates of birth and death equalize, leadings to population stability.

Population Pyramid

• Purpose: A graphical representation to visualize age and gender distribution, providing insights into demographic trends.

Characteristics:

• The population pyramid typically features the youngest age cohorts at the base and the oldest at the top, differentiating male on the left and female on the right.

• The shape of the pyramid indicates growth trends, with various forms such as expansive, constrictive, and stationary charts to show population dynamics.

Population Pyramid Details

Structure:

• Consists of two side-by-side bar graphs representing males and females specifically.

Types of Population Pyramids:

• Expansive: Shows a wide base, indicating a high birth rate among a young population.

• Constrictive: Represents a shrinking population with fewer young individuals.

• Stationary: Indicates balanced growth where births and deaths are equal.

Components of a Population Pyramid:

• Axes: Horizontal axis for population size and vertical for age bands.

• Age Cohorts: Typically presented in five-year intervals for clear visibility on age distribution.

• Bars: Represent population sizes by specific age groups within the pyramid's framework.

• Shape: The overall shape provides insights into demographic trends and predictions about population growth.

• Legend: Color-coded explanations are crucial for understanding the data displayed.

Age Group Classifications:

• Young Dependents: Ages 0-14 years; represents future potential labor force but also indicates dependency pressures.

• Working Population: Ages 15-64 years; typically the most economically active segment of society.

• Elderly Dependents: Ages 65+ years; reflecting the need for healthcare and social services.

Demographic Transition

• Definition: A transition from high to low mortality and fertility rates over time, significantly impacting overall population trends.

Stages of Demographic Transition:

1. Stage 1: Characterized by high birth rates and high mortality rates, leading to minimal population growth and stability over time.

2. Stage 2: Decreased mortality due to improvements in healthcare, while birth rates remain high, resulting in rapid population growth.

3. Stage 3: Characterized by declining birth rates as living conditions improve, leading to slowed population growth rates.

4. Stage 4: Both birth and mortality rates are low, resulting in a stable population size without significant growth.

5. Stage 5: Associated with very low birth rates and uncertainty regarding future population growth based on prevailing fertility trends.

Stages in Demographic Transition (Continued)

• Stage 1: High birth and death rates contribute to stagnation in population size over long periods.

• Stage 2: Significant improvements in medicine and sanitation lead to lower mortality rates, maintaining high birth rates and prompting rapid population increases.

• Stage 3: Birth rates begin to decline due to improved living conditions including access to education and family planning; population growth slows.

• Stage 4: Represents stabilization as both birth and death rates remain low, leading to a steady population size and demographic equilibrium.

• Stage 5: Population dynamics become uncertain due to a preference for smaller family sizes and fluctuating societal values regarding childbirth.

Environmental Structure

• Definition: Discusses how various organisms form social groups within their physical and economic environments.

Physical Man:

• Man’s basic needs include habitat, air, water, and food while also considering the importance of waste disposal and management strategies.

Social Man:

• Creates institutions, laws, and safety nets aimed at enhancing social welfare within the ecosystem.

Economic Man:

• Engages with resources to contribute to economic processes, emphasizing sustainable resource management practices.

Situations of Human Intervention:

1. In Harmony: Development of sustainable practices that do not disrupt ecological systems or resource availability.

2. Exceeding Critical Limits: Engaging in unsustainable practices leads to ecological and environmental issues that threaten humanity and biodiversity.

Impact of Population Growth on Environment

• Concerns: Rapid growth leads to an array of negative environmental impacts, stressing the importance of sustainable development.

Effects of Population Growth:

• Environmental degradation associated with rapid urbanization and industrialization

• Loss of biodiversity as natural habitats are altered or destroyed

• Water scarcity as demand for fresh water exceeds available supplies

• Resource depletion as natural reserves are over-extracted, threatening future availability

• Deforestation leading to loss of ecosystems, carbon storage, and wildlife habitats

• Pollution arising from increased industrial activity and transportation

• Climate change driven by elevated greenhouse gas emissions

• Soil degradation, linked to agricultural practices that diminish soil health over time.

Human Intervention in Nature

• Definition: Actions made by humans which directly affect the surrounding ecosystems and environments.

Examples of Intervention:

• Deforestation for agricultural development or urban expansion

• Pollution from industrial and domestic sources impacting air and water quality

• Over-exploitation of species leading to dwindling populations

• Introduction of invasive species disrupting native ecosystems

• Ozone depletion resultant from the use of harmful chemicals and pollutants.

Negative Impacts of Engineering on Environment

• Engineering: Involves the application of scientific and mathematical principles to create infrastructure and technology.

Negative Impacts:

• Pollution stemming from industrial discharge and waste

• Resource depletion through unsustainable extraction practices

• Habitat destruction as urbanization and development encroaches on natural areas

• Climate change effects from reliance on fossil fuel energy

• Noise pollution impacting wildlife and human health due to construction activities.

Negative Impacts of Medicine on Environment

• Medicine's Impact: The lifecycle of medical production, consumption, and disposal can lead to significant ecological damage.

Pathways for Environmental Contamination:

• Industrial processes related to drug manufacture

• Wastewater discharge impacting water quality

• Landfill leakage leading to soil and water contamination

• Airborne pollutants from medical waste contributing to climate change.

Adverse Effects of People's Actions on Nature

• Simplifying Ecosystem: Agricultural practices such as monoculture can lead to a significant reduction in biodiversity.

Consequences:

• Loss of biodiversity impacting ecological resilience and stability

• Soil erosion resulting from single-crop farming practices

• Increased greenhouse gas emissions driven by episodes of deforestation and land clearing.

Strengthening Pests and Disease:

• The overuse of pesticides and antibiotics creates resistance among pests and pathogens, complicating future control efforts.

Eliminating Predators:

• Disruption of natural population checks by removing biodiversity or natural predators, leading to imbalances.

New Species Introduction

• Negative Impacts: Introducing new species can dramatically alter established ecosystems.

Possible Challenges:

• Competition for resources with native species, leading to local extinctions

• Increased predation pressures on native species, undermining local biodiversity

• Disease transmission risks when new species carry pathogens affecting local wildlife

• Habitat alteration consequences driven by foreign species affecting local dynamics

• Genetic contamination of local species through interbreeding can alter population dynamics.

Interference with Ecosystem Cycles

• Chemical Cycling Disruption: Pollution severely affects nutrient cycling within ecosystems.

Climate Change Impact:

• Increasing greenhouse gas levels lead to widespread changes affecting habitat suitability, ultimately threatening biodiversity and ecological balance.

• Consequences include habitat unsuitability, loss of biodiversity, and increased instability in ecosystems.

References

• A compilation of credible sources that provide supporting information for the topics discussed, ensuring academic integrity and thoroughness in research.