Global Problems of Population Growth
Yale,, Spring 2009 , Prof. Robert Wyman
Updated On 02 Feb, 19
Yale,, Spring 2009 , Prof. Robert Wyman
Updated On 02 Feb, 19
Evolution of Sex and Reproductive Strategies - Sex and Violence Among the Apes - From Ape to Human - When Humans Were Scarce - Why Is Africa Different? - Malthusian Times - Demographic Transition in Europe; Mortality Decline - Demographic Transition in Europe; Fertility Decline - Demographic Transition in Europe - Quantitative Aspects - Low Fertility in Developed Countries (Guest Lecture by Michael Teitelbaum) - Human and Environmental Impacts - Fertility Attitudes and Practices - Demographic Transition in Developing Countries - Female Disadvantage - Population in Traditional China - Population in Modern China - Economic Impact of Population Growth - Economic Motivations for Fertility - Teen Sexuality and Teen Pregnancy - Global Demography of Abortion - Media and the Fertility Transition in Developing Countries (Guest Lecture by William Ryerson) - Biology and History of Abortion - Population and the Environment
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Global Problems of Population Growth (MCDB 150)
Until recently, the world population has been growing faster than exponentially. Although the growth rate has slowed somewhat, there are about 80 million more people each year and about 3 billion more will be added by 2050 (a 50% increase). Population will probably increase more beyond that. Such growth is unprecedented and we cannot predict its long-term effects. The environmental impact of this population increase is bound to be astronomic. Large populations engender two problems over-consumption in the rich countries which leads to environmental misery, and under-consumption in the poor countries which leads to human misery. People living in abject poverty ($1 per day) dont limit their fertility. Factory jobs in poor countries pay double that, ~$2 per day. For population to stabilize, income must rise. If population is to increase by 50%, income needs to double -- we are looking at a tripling of the world economy. The environment is currently overstressed. Can it survive a tripling of the economy?
Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website httpopen.yale.educourses
This course was recorded in Spring 2009.
Sam
Sep 12, 2018
Excellent course helped me understand topic that i couldn't while attendinfg my college.
Dembe
March 29, 2019
Great course. Thank you very much.