Environmental Science and Human Population Worksheet
Using the textbooks, the University Library, or other resources, answer each of the following questions in 100 to 200 words.
1. What would you include in a brief summary on the history of the modern environmental movement, from the 1960s to the present?
Rachel Carson, an author, brought to light the harm in using a pesticide called DDT. The pesticide was sprayed to control Dutch elm disease, a fungus that kills trees. The pesticide accidentally killed birds and other wildlife in the process.In 1969 the Environmental Policy Act was passed by Congress. Shortly after that President Nixon recommended the creation of an agency named the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 1970 the Clean Air Act was passed, in 1972 the Marine Mammals Protection Act was inducted, and the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973. In 1974 the Safe Drinking Water Act was passed and the Superfund Act was passed in 1980 as a result of a hazardous waste problem in New York.
2. Explain the primary concern over exponential population growth. What promotes exponential population growth? What constrains exponential population growth?
The primary concerns for the exponential population growth is how to feed, clothe, house, and support the growing population with gainful employment. Economic growth between and within countries is extremely unequal hindering the overall progress.The promotion of exponential population growth can be done with advances in education, health care, and more freedom and opportunities for women. Exponential population growth is constrained by the abuse and overexploitation of ecosystem resources. This can be improved by provisioning, goods obtained from ecosystems; regulating, services obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes; and cultural, nonmaterial benefits from ecosystems.
3. What is carrying capacity? Compare predictions for human