human geography f763 population and resources - issue

how / why rate of growth of population varies ? -

• economic
• social
• political
• demographic 
• medical 

what are resources ? - by source / use / renewability 

factors affecting supply of resources - physical / human 

why does demand change ? - time + location 

how can human activity manage resources ?

International 

• pop. change = (births - deaths) +/- migration 

National 

• pop. change = births - deaths 

Fertility 

• total fertility rate = avg number women gives birth to in reproductive life 
• crude birth rates = ratio of births to total population ( /1000/yr)

Mortality 

• Life expectancy = avg number of years expected to live from day of birth 
• Infant mortality rate = avg number of deaths of children before 1st/5th birthday (/1000/yr) 
• Crude death rates = ratio of deaths to total population (/1000/yr)

2010 - 0.06% avg annual growth rate of MEDC's 

Reason 

• emancipation of women - no need to have children 
• ageing population - less need for elderly support 
• 'opportunity cost of children' - economic restructuring - agriculture to services 
• outmigration 

Issue 

• workforce shortage + less youths to vote
• strain on health services + pensions 

Management  - resources + population 

• renewable energy 
• 'Open door' to migration 
• pro natalist - offering incentives for women with more children 
• raise retirement age 

1.4% avg annual growth rate for LEDC 2010

Reasons 

• High fertility = lack of contraception / need for children / high infant mortality 
• Low mortality = Healthcare / agriculture

Issues

• overpopulation 
• too many for available resources = decline in living standard + access to basics 

Management-  resources + population

• Aid (well / dam or irrigation / GM) + education 
• anti-natalist (contraception / education / policies) 
• 'closed door' immigration system 

Economic Fertility and Mortality 

• inc wealth = dec levels of fertility 
• LEDC's = economic value of children in agriculture / look after elderly 
• MEDC's = £250,000 cost / emancipation / 

• LEDC's = poverty / inadequate helathcare 
• MEDC's  = 15 yrs higher due to healthcare advancements 

Social Fertility 

• LEDC's = strong religious beliefs (irrational thinking) / Philippines 80% roman catholic 
• MEDC's = emancipation of women - working = less fertile years 

Political - Fertility and Migration 

• LEDC's = anti natalist China - 1 child policy 
• MEDC's = pro natalist - restructure age pyramid / control resource strain / economic growth 

• LEDC's = encourage emigration - work overseas and send back $ 
• MEDC's = encourage immigration - push fertility and population growth 

Demographic - Structure and Migration 

• LEDC's = very high youth population + low elderly     (44%<15     2%>65)
• MEDC's = relatively low youth + higher elderly           (17%<15     13%>65)    

• emigration - decrease in BR and increase in DR / slows pop growth 
• immigration - increases pop growth / more fertile young women 

Thomas Malthus, Neo-Malthusians - 1978 

• negative view on population growth - due to prolonged life of poor 
• J- curve of population growth (geometric population + arithmetic resources)
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Problems with theory 

• didnt predict increased food production - technological improvements in farming practices 
• didnt predict decreased fertility in MEDC's - indsutrial period / education / emancipation 
• rich 20% of world however 80% of resources

Ester Boserup - 1968 

• postive view on population growth 
• S curve of population growth 
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View on technology 

• LEDC 'green revolution' - hybrid seeds with rice + wheat with higher yields 
• increased food supply 
• Mexico increased carrying capacity 
• HOWEVER pollution increases 

1700-1750 (birth rate high, but death rate higher)

• Agrarian economy 
• large families for farm labour 
• child labour allowed 

1750-1800 (birth rate remains high, death rate declines)

• industrial revolution begins 
• improved diet (Agriculture revolution)
• medical improvements 
• imporved water - pipes + pumps 

1800- 1860 (birth rate drops then increases, deathe rate flattens)

• births to help INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
• factories mass produce, industrialisation, need for child workers 
• outbreaks of cholera increased death rates 

1860 - 1940 (birth rate rapidly decline, death rates begin to decline again)

• child labour abolished 
• machines reduce need for children 
• children compulsory education to age of 12 

1940 - 1950 (birth rates spike and death rates stay low)

• post WW2 social attitudes change 

Limitations 

• generalisation 
• no reference to resource impact or gov. natalist policies 
• no reference to migration (19th century 'great migration' from EU to USA)