Consequences of Human Population Growth Directions Using the

Consequences of Human Population Growth

Directions • Using the information from the Power. Point, respond to the questions concerning the negative impacts of human population growth.

What is the impact? • The rapid increase in the human population has had many impacts on the environment. • In this activity, you will explore 2 of the negative effects that human population growth have on the environment.

Depletion of resources • The Earth has a finite (limited) amount of resources • As the number of people increases, more resources are being used. • Some of these resources such as water are limited and no more can be produced

This map shows a picture of where water is becoming scarce. Unfortunately, the countries in red and orange are the same countries that are experiencing a rapid increase in their population.

In the picture, you can see children waiting to get food. Unfortunately, not all of these children will get food.

Decrease in Biodiversity • As more and more people populate the Earth, we have to find a place to put these people • This has led to the destruction of forests and other ecosystems that once belonged to other organisms (animals and plants) – These ecosystems end up dying out or being relocated • In the end, there is a less diversity of life (biodiversity) on this planet

Rainforest…before

Rainforest…after This is a picture of the remains of a rainforest that has been cleared. An entire ecosystem has been destroyed in order to meet the needs of human growth and expansion.

Forest ecosystem…before

Forest ecosystem…after This was once a forest, which was home to many different types of organisms. These organisms are either dead or had to relocate. This forest was cleared to build new homes for people.