Summarizing Human Population Growth

Summary

The world’s human population is growing at an exponential rate. Humans have increased the world’s carrying capacity through migration, agriculture, medical advances, and communication. The age structure of a population allows us to predict population growth. Unchecked human population growth could have dire long-term effects on our environment.

Glossary

age structure

proportion of population members at specific age ranges

one-child policy

China’s policy to limit population growth by limiting urban couples to have only one child or face the penalty of a fine