Are People the Problem?

1. Suppose we start reducing population growth rates tomorrow (by decreasing birth rates, etc.). Will this solve the problem of overpopulation?

2. Do countries with the smallest population size have the smallest population problem?

Energy has been a vital prerequisite for development in technology, science, medicine, etc. It is an important factor in the world today. By looking at its relationship to population size, we can shed some light on the above questions. Look at these world figures for the seven basic world areas.

3. What do the data tell us? On the chart below list the world areas first in decreasing order of energy consumption and also fill in the population size for each. Be sure to fill in the percentage for each. Leave the category "Per Capita Energy Use" blank for now.

4. 5.2% of the world's population consumes ____ % of the world's energy while 58.9% of the world's population consumes ____% of the world's energy. How can you explain this?

5. In your opinion, would a decrease in the North American population growth rate decrease it's energy consumption?

6. In your opinion, would a decrease in the Asian population growth rate automatically increase energy consumption in Asia? Explain.

7. If all world areas eventually reach an energy consumption level comparable to that of North America, what problems might result?

8. How does the information presented here suggest that the problem of overpopulation involves more than a simple increase in numbers?

9. Go back to your second table and calculate energy use per person and list the areas in descending order. (Note: You should convert your answers to gigajoules; 1 pentajoule = 1 000 000 gigajoules.)

10. Do you still feel the same about your answers to questions 1 and 2? Explain.

11. Considering what you have seen in this activity, describe what you think about the statement: "North America is the most overpopulated area in the world today."