Managing Human Population Change (Cambridge (CIE) AS Environmental Management): Revision Note

Managing Human Population Change

• Population management involves intentional actions taken by governments and societies to influence the size, structure, and distribution of their populations

• Reasons for population management include:

  • Ensuring economic stability by balancing labour supply and demand

  • Efficient allocation of resources to support sustainable development

  • Addressing demographic challenges like overpopulation or underpopulation

  • Enhancing overall well-being and the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities

Population Increase

• The world's population is increasing by approximately 80 million people a year

• In 1804 the world population was 1 billion

  • Population growth at this point was steady and low

  • It took just over 100 years for the population to double to 2 billion

• The rate of increase after 1930 was then more rapid and led to a population explosion

• The fastest increase in population happened during the 1980s and 1990s

• Population growth rate is the average annual change of the population size during a set period of time, usually a year

  • The population is still increasing but at a slower rate

  • In 1970 the growth rate was 2% 

  • In 2022 the growth rate was under 1%

• It is predicted by the UN that the population will stabilise at around 11 billion in 2100

• Some strategies for managing a changing population include:

  • Improved availability of contraception

  • Improved education about contraception

  • Improved education and opportunities for women

  • Improved health care

  • Local, national and global policies (e.g. pronatalist and antinatalist policies)

Improved Availability of Contraception

• Increased access:

  • Establishing comprehensive programs to make contraceptives widely accessible

  • Ensuring availability in both rural and urban areas

• Reduced birth rates:

  • Empowering individuals to make informed choices about family size (promotes family planning)

  • Limiting unintended pregnancies, leading to controlled and intentional birth rates

• Limitations:

  • Cultural or religious opposition may hinder widespread acceptance of contraception use

Improved Education about Contraception

• Awareness campaigns:

  • Conducting educational campaigns to inform communities about diverse contraceptive methods and how they can be used most effectively

  • Addressing myths and misconceptions related to contraception

• Family planning education:

  • Promoting understanding of the significance of family planning for individual and community well-being.

  • Integrating family planning education into school curricula and community programs.

• Destigmatisation:

  • Education about contraception can help to foster open conversations to reduce societal stigma surrounding contraception

• Limitations:

  • In some countries or areas, cultural and social norms may still create barriers despite awareness

Improved Education & Opportunities for Women

• Education = empowerment:

  • Providing educational opportunities for women to enhance their decision-making capacity

  • Encouraging women to pursue education beyond traditional roles

• Economic opportunities:

  • Creating policies that promote equal economic opportunities for women

  • Supporting women in balancing career and family responsibilities

  • For example, the improvement of women's education and job opportunities in Japan has contributed to delayed marriages and childbirth

• Empowering women's choices:

  • Offering programs that support women in making informed decisions about family planning

  • Addressing cultural norms that may limit women's choices

• Limitations:

  • Societal expectations and cultural norms may still influence decisions

Improved Health Care

• Maternal and child health:

  • Enhancing healthcare services with a specific focus on maternal and child health

  • Ensuring accessible and quality healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth

• Access to healthcare:

  • Implementing policies to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all

• Preventive measures:

  • Implementing healthcare strategies that improve overall health and reduce mortality rates

  • Encouraging regular check-ups and other preventive healthcare measures

• Limitations:

  • Some countries may experience resource constraints that make the implementation of comprehensive healthcare services difficult

Local, National, & Global Policies

Pronatalist Policies

• Introducing incentives like family bonuses and tax benefits to encourage higher birth rates

• Supporting programs that promote larger families and recognise them as contributors to economic growth

• Benefits include:

  • Encourages population growth, ensuring a sufficient workforce

  • Boosts economic productivity through increased consumer spending

• Limitations include:

  • May strain resources and infrastructure with a rapidly growing population

  • Potential challenges in maintaining a balance between population growth and sustainability

Antinatalist Policies

• Implementing measures, such as family planning programs and population control initiatives, to discourage high birth rates

• Benefits include:

  • Addresses overpopulation concerns, ensuring sustainable resource use

  • May contribute to improved quality of life with a more manageable population size.

• Limitations include:

  • Ethical concerns related to individual freedoms and reproductive rights

  • Potential negative impact on the labour force and economic productivity

    • Example: China's one-child policy, though successful in curbing population growth, faced criticism for violating individual freedoms. In addition, Thailand's antinatalist policies, while contributing to lower birth rates, have raised ethical concerns

United Nations (UN) Agenda 21

• A global action plan adopted in 1992 to promote sustainable development

• Emphasises environmental protection, social equity, and economic development

The Club of Rome

• An organisation advocating for sustainable development, including comprehensive approaches to population challenges

• For example, the "Limits to Growth" report produced by the Club of Rome in 1972 highlights the environmental constraints of unchecked population growth