Environmental Science and Human Population

1.      What would you include in a brief summary of the history of the modern environmental movement, from the 1960s to the present?

      The movement started in 1970 and has had several rapid changes. Over the years, Americans have many concerns about the environment in various ways (Gordon, 2012). There are several concerns raised over the degradation of the environment by a man that leads to public health threats. However, my observation shows that there are several improvements that aid to environmental sustainability. There are many acts and laws that help in the protection of the environment. Among them include the Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Act, and the other acts that promote environmental protection. There are few activities that destroy the environment due to the massive legislation and enforcement efforts.

2.      Explain the primary concern over exponential population growth. What promotes exponential population growth? What constraints exponential population growth?

      The primary concern over exponential growth refers to the measure of the population and the available resources for use. An increase in the population without the proper use of the resources may eventually lead to their depletion thereby weakening the environment (Botkin & Keller, 2011). The present population growth rate is high that leads to more consumption of the resources available. There are also many technological developments in medicine, farming, and lifestyles that increase environment depletion. The major constraint of exponential growth is inadequate resources, birth control effects, and unexpected health demises of the population.

3.      What is carrying capacity? Compare predictions for human population growth in developed countries versus developing countries. What will occur if carrying capacity is exceeded?

      Carrying capacity is the total population that Earth can withstand and maintain a sustainable life (Zhuowei, Youhua, Guiyou, Qiang & Jing, 2014). In the developed countries, the prediction of the population reveals that it is likely to level off. Many families have a limited number of children since many women are in the working class and scholars. They have limited time to raise a family. However, in the developing countries, there are early marriages that lead to a high population growth since childbearing starts at an early stage. The women have limited exposure to family planning knowledge and implementation. The population growth rate in the developing countries is a threat to the carrying capacity of Earth. If the carrying capacity exceeds, there is the likelihood of straining the resources available for use since the planet can no longer sustain it (Zhuowei, Youhua, Guiyou, Qiang & Jing, 2014). It leads to rapid depletion of the resources.

4.      How do individual choices affect the natural ecosystem? Provide examples from your personal or community experience.

      There are various ways in which individual choices affect the natural ecosystem (Gooch, 2008). An ecosystem is a system that comprises of everything that occupies the planet. Any attempt by man to live a comfortable life leads to an effect on the environment. For instance, the simple act of establishing a family house means excavation of the ground; thereby affecting the plants and organisms occupying the site. The many herbicides and pesticides used by farmers have various effects on the environment. Some end up with the water systems, and thus polluting the ecosystem. For a man to get food, he/she has to affect the environment by killing plants and animals that are part of the ecosystem. Many people have manufacturing plants that release pollutants into the environment. Thus, individual choices have various impacts on the ecosystem.

References

Botkin, D. B., & Keller, E. A. (2011). Environmental Science: Earth as a living planet (8th Ed.)

Erin L. Gordon (2012) History of the Modern Environmental Movement in America; 

Gooch, N. (2008). Everglades: An Ecosystem Facing Choices and Challenges: Library Media       Connection, 27(2), 61.

Zhuowei, J., Youhua, M., Guiyou, Z., Qiang, W., & Jing, W. (2014) Research on Resources and   Environmental Carrying Capacity: Agricultural Science & Technology, 15(10), 1789-         1792.

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