THE ISSUES


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POPULATION

         The world’s population is growing exponentially, at a rate faster than ever before.  Along with the rapidly increasing population, a transition in the world’s demographics is underway.  The highest growth rates are occurring in less developed nations, with a large percentage of these populations consisting of children.  People are moving out of rural regions and turning urban areas into “megacities.”  These transitions are placing stress on the environment, housing, health and education resources.  How many people can be sustained in a particular area indefinitely?  Political policies, birth rates and death rates all affect the size and composition of the earth’s population.  Without a stabilization of the world population, the earth’s carrying capacity may be exceeded.

 

RELATED SITES

6 Million Human Beings
A unique on-line interactive experience based on tens of breath-taking Java applets. Discover the mechanism of population growth, build your own family on-line, choose your birth-control method, discover where you stand in the world population today, where you will stand in 25 years, in 50 years... Enter a new dimension in the world of on-line museum exhibits.

The Day of Six Billion
On the Day of Six Billion (D6B), October 12, 1999, world population will reach 6 billion. What does this mean to you? This fun site includes maps, video.

Earth's Carrying Capacity
Chapter 16: Human Population Growth: A Hypertext Book by Peter J. Bryant, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine.  The origin, nature and value of biological diversity, the threats to its continued existence, and approaches to preserving what is left.

Guide to Population Issues
Facing the Future - A guide to population issues, impacts and solutions.

International Planned Parenthood Federation
A worldwide pioneer movement providing reproductive health and family planning services in over 180 countries.  They believe that the balance between the world's population and its natural resources and productivity is a necessary condition for improving the quality of life on the planet. 

Megacities 2000
The Megacities 2000 Foundation has been established in December 1994, following a request of UNESCO to the International Academy of Architecture The foundation will collect, process and disseminate information on the development of big cities. To this aim the Foundation has opened an Internet site, is organizing lectures and is producing publications. 

The Population Bomb
Site based on the book by Dr. Paul Ehrlich and the subsequent documentary which aired on PBS.  Here you'll find a summary of KQED's documentary, detailed population information, extensive learning exercises, and some tips and links to help you get involved.

UN Programme on Ageing
The demographic revolution of the world's population and the implications of an aging society.

Zero Population Growth
Zero Population Growth is a national nonprofit organization working to slow population growth and achieve a sustainable balance between the Earth's people and its resources. We seek to protect the environment and ensure a high quality of life for present and future generations. ZPG's education and advocacy programs aim to influence public policies, attitudes, and behavior on national and global population issues and related concerns.


 

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author.  The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by SIUE.
URL: http://www.siue.edu/~lwolff/IS336/population.html
Published by: Laura Wolff
Last Update: December 20, 2000 by lwolff@siue.edu