Changing Population Trends

• A rapidly growing population uses resources at an increased rate and can overwhelm the infrastructure of a community.

• Infrastructure: The basic facilities and services that support a community, such as schools and hospitals.

Problems of Rapid Growth

• People cannot live without:– Clean Water– Fuel– Land that can be farmed for food

A Shortage of Firewood• In many of the poorest countries, wood is the

main fuel source. • Stable population Deadwood is used• High pop growth Healthy, living trees are cut

down

What is Fuel used for?

• A supply of fuel ensures that a person:– 1) Can boil water.• Public, available water is dirty and contains water-

borne pathogens

– 2) Cook food

• Without enough fuelwood, many people suffer from disease and malnutrition.

Unsafe Water!!• In places that lack infrastructure, the local

water supply may be used for sewage disposal (in addition to drinking)!

Dirty, Nasty Water

• The water supply, becomes a breeding ground for organisms that cause diseases such as:– Dysentery– Typhoid– Cholera

Impacts on Land• Growing populations may have a shortage of

arable land, which is land that can be used to grow crops.

Urbanization

• Much of the world’s population is undergoing urbanization, the movement of people from rural areas to cities.

Suburban Sprawl

• Leads to:– Traffic Jams– Inadequate infrastructure– Reduction of land for • farming • Wildlife habitat

– Housing within cities becomes more costly

Oh the Possibilities