Problem 2
Identify a major local, national, or global environmental problem, and describe the role of population growth in this problem.
Problem 4
Some people have proposed that the earth could solve its population problem by moving people to space colonies, each containing about 10,000 people. Assuming we could build such large-scale, self-sustaining space stations (a big assumption), how many people would we have to ship off each day to provide living spaces for the 82 million people added to the earth's population this year? Current space shuttles can handle about 6 to 8 passengers. If this capacity could be increased to 100 passengers per shuttle, how many shuttles would have to be launched per day to offset the 82 million people added this year? According to your calculations, determine whether this proposal is a logical solution to the earth's population problem.
Problem 6
Experts have identified population growth as one of the major causes of the environmental problems we face (Figure 1-9, p. 15). The population of United States is growing faster than that of China and of any of the world's other developed countries. But this problem is rarely mentioned, and the U.S. government has no official policy to slow its population growth. Why do think this is so? Do you agree with this hands-off approach? If not, list three things you would do to slow U.S. population growth.
Problem 7
List three reasons why you (a) enjoy living in a large city, (b) would like to live in a large city, or (c) do not wish to live in a large city.
Problem 8
If you own a car or hope to own one, what conditions, if any, would encourage you to rely less on the automobile and to travel to school or work by bicycle, on foot, by mass transit, or by carpool?
Problem 9
Congratulations! You are in charge of the world. List the three most important features of your policy for dealing with (a) global population growth and (b) urban growth and development.
