Social Impact of Population Growth – Paper

Assignment 1: Social Impact of Population Growth

The United Nations has hired you to be a consultant on global issues. One of the challenges is assessing the impact of population growth. There is no question that the world population will grow dramatically in the next decade throughout many countries of the world. The members of the UN are working to understand the impact that population growth has on society, specifically in developing countries. Your first project with the UN is to develop a whitepaper on three issues related to the population growth faced by one of these countries. Read the Case Study and provide an assessment based on the questions below.

(For a brief list of resources for this assignment, please see the end of the course guide.)

II.Overview

Our obsession with continual economic growth deters us from studying the role that an expanding population plays in global warming.[1]

About 3 billion years ago, the Earth suffered through a mass extinction caused by catastrophic volcanic activity in Siberia and wildfires that covered the entire planet. Since then, four more extinctions have eradicated up to 80% of all species each time. The world’s climatologists and scientists overwhelmingly agree that we are now on the verge of a sixth mass event that, over the next few tens of thousands of years, will wipe out nearly all living species on Earth — including humankind.

This is not the stuff of science fiction or speculation, but rather the studied view of the people who are most qualified to make this kind of assessment. As anthropologist Richard Leaky, author of The Sixth Extinction,[2] wrote in 1995, “Homo sapiens might not only be the agent of the sixth extinction, but also risks being one of its victims.”

This brings us to two issues worthy of reflection:

Does the rate at which people are reproducing need to be controlled to save the environment?

To what extent does human population growth impact global warming… and what can be done about it?[3]

The answer to the first is quite simply “yes,” but the solution to the second is more problematic. The damage humans are doing to their climate is ruining the atmosphere surrounding their planet. At the rate this damage is increasing, at some point in the future there will be no atmosphere left to protect life on Earth from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Compared to other planets in our solar system, Earth has mild temperatures, thanks largely to the protective gases of its atmosphere.

However, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (around 1775), those gases have become stuck in the atmosphere, causing heat radiating from the sun to reflect back to Earth (rather than exiting to space). The result is that oceans have become warmer and glaciers are melting, including parts of Antarctica. If we think of that continent as the stopper in a bottle, its melting away will release all the water it is holding back. This will raise sea levels to uncontrollable levels and flood coastal regions for miles inland.

The two main culprits for this warming trend are carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. These gases, called greenhouse gases, are trapped by the Earth’s atmosphere and, in turn, heat up the entire planet. It is worth noting that warming oceans are killing off kelp beds throughout the Earth’s oceans and coastlines at a prodigious rate. Not only do hundreds of millions of people depend on the fish that thrive on this ecosystem, but kelp is a natural absorbent of CO2. It purifies both the water around the kelp and the air we breathe.

Population growth that consumes natural resources is partially to blame for the release of greenhouse gases, as are deforestation, soil erosion, and farming (overturned dirt releases CO2). The real issue, however, is the burning of fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) such as coal oil and natural gas, which have been produced by the organic remains of prehistoric organisms. The release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) such as refrigerants (used to cool the air in air conditioners and refrigerators), propellants in aerosol sprays, and solvents also contribute heavily to the depletion of the ozone layer in the Earth’s stratosphere. The stratosphere is responsible for filtering out much of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, preventing humans from burning to death.

Continuing to release these gases and CFCs into the atmosphere at these rates will have catastrophic effects on the Earth’s ecosystems and its level of biodiversity. Temperatures will warm by about two degrees Fahrenheit, changing weather patterns for the worse across the globe. In December 2017, the World Bank stated, “Climate change is an acute threat to global development and efforts to end poverty. Without urgent action, climate impacts could push an additional 100 million people into poverty by 2030.”[4]

II.Case Assessment

The world’s population is expanding at such a rate that some natural resources are being stripped from the environment. This case study deals with how global institutions are working to prevent the loss of these resources. It also deals with, in effect, the consequences of not having access to these resources.

As the first section of your whitepaper for the UN, research the impact of population growth on society. Write a minimum of four pages assessing the impact, citing at least five credible sources in your research. As you compose the whitepaper, review the United Nations list of developing countries (available on the United Nations website). Select one country from the UN developing countries list to use as an example throughout your assessment. Please include:

  • A cover page with your name, title of course, date, and the name of your instructor
  • A one-half page introduction
  • A middle section that is numbered and divided into three one-page sections. Each of these sections should answer one of the following questions:
  1. What are greenhouse gases? How do they contribute to global warming?
  2. What kinds of economic, security, political, and other challenges do these emissions pose to the people of the developing world, and who are the biggest offenders?
  3. Is there any way to control the growth of population on a global level?
  • A one-half page conclusion
  • Cite at least five credible sources, excluding Wikipedia, dictionaries and encyclopedias for your assessment.
  • For a brief list of resources for this assignment, please see the end of the course guide.

This course requires use of new Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The format is different than other Strayer University courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details. (Note: You will be prompted to enter your Blackboard login credentials to view these standards.)

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

  • Evaluate the impacts of population growth and its negative impacts on global societies while considering multiple perspectives.

[1] George Gitlitz, ‘The Climate Problem – But Don’t Mention Population,’
Berkeleyside, June 19, 2018.

[2] Discover Magazine, July/August 2018, p. 55

[3] Larry LeDoux, ‘Does Population Growth Impact Climate Change,’ Scientific American, September 2018.

[4] Bill McKibben, ‘A Very Grim Forecast,’ Review Article of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Global Warming of 1.5°C: An IPCC Special Report, in The New York Review of Books, Vol. LXV, No. 18, November 22, 2018, p. 4.

Name: Assignment 1 Rubric

Description: Assignment 1 – Case Study: Social Impact of Population Growth

Exemplary 90-100% A Proficient 80-89% B Fair 70-79% C Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D Unacceptable Below 60% F
1. Defined greenhouse gases and their connection to global warming. Points:

Points Range: 19.8 (18%) – 22 (20%)

Exceeded expectations in explaining the connection between greenhouse gases and global warming.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 17.6 (16%) – 19.58 (17.8%)

Proficiently explained the connection between greenhouse gases and global warming.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 15.4 (14%) – 17.38 (15.8%)

Defined greenhouse gases and global warming but did not fully explain the connection between the two.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 13.2 (12%) – 15.18 (13.8%)

Defined greenhouse gases and global warming but did not explain sufficiently the connection between the two.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 12.98 (11.8%)

Did not define or connect greenhouse gases or global warming.

Feedback:

2. Explained economic, security, political, and other challenges that emissions pose to the people of the developing world. Listed the major offenders.

Points:

Points Range: 19.8 (18%) – 22 (20%)

Exceeded expectations in explaining challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 17.6 (16%) – 19.58 (17.8%)

Proficiently explained challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 15.4 (14%) – 17.38 (15.8%)

Explained the challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 13.2 (12%) – 15.18 (13.8%)

Did not sufficiently explain challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 12.98 (11.8%)

Did not explain the challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

Feedback:

3. Explored options to control the growth of the population on a global level.

Points:

Points Range: 19.8 (18%) – 22 (20%)

Exceeded expectations in explaining options to control population on a global level.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 17.6 (16%) – 19.58 (17.8%)

Proficiently explained options to control population on a global level.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 15.4 (14%) – 17.38 (15.8%)

Explained options to control population on a global level.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 13.2 (12%) – 15.18 (13.8%)

Did not sufficiently explain options to control population on a global level.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 12.98 (11.8%)

Did not explain options to control population on a global level.

Feedback:

4. Included an opening paragraph and a conclusion for this section of the whitepaper.

Points:

Points Range: 19.8 (18%) – 22 (20%)

Included a well thought out opening statement and a conclusion.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 17.6 (16%) – 19.58 (17.8%)

Included a sufficient opening and conclusion.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 15.4 (14%) – 17.38 (15.8%)

Did not sufficiently include either the opening statement or conclusion.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 13.2 (12%) – 15.18 (13.8%)

Missed writing either the opening statement or a conclusion.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 11 (10%)

Both the opening paragraph and conclusion are missing.

Feedback:

5. Clarity, writing mechanics and formatting

Points:

Points Range: 14.85 (13.5%) – 16.5 (15%)

0-2 errors present.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 13.2 (12%) – 14.68 (13.35%)

3-4 errors present.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 11.55 (10.5%) – 13.04 (11.85%)

5-6 errors present.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 9.9 (9%) – 11.38 (10.35%)

7-8 errors present.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 9.74 (8.85%)

More than 8 errors present.

Feedback:

6. Meets five minimum reference/citation requirement.

Points:

Points Range: 4.95 (4.5%) – 5.5 (5%)

Exceeds minimum reference/citation requirement

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 4.4 (4%) – 4.9 (4.45%)

Meets minimum reference/citation requirement

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 3.85 (3.5%) – 4.34 (3.95%)

Properly references citations used in the assessment but does not reference at least 5 citations.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 3.3 (3%) – 3.8 (3.45%)

Does not properly reference citations used in assessment.

Feedback:

Points:

Points Range: 0 (0%) – 2.75 (2.5%)

Does not reference any citations in the assessment.

Feedback:

1. Defined greenhouse gases and their connection to global warming.

Levels of Achievement:


19.8
(18%) – 22
(20%)

Exceeded expectations in explaining the connection between greenhouse gases and global warming.

17.6 (16%) – 19.58 (17.8%)

Proficiently explained the connection between greenhouse gases and global warming.

15.4 (14%) – 17.38 (15.8%)

Defined greenhouse gases and global warming but did not fully explain the connection between the two.

13.2 (12%) – 15.18 (13.8%)

Defined greenhouse gases and global warming but did not explain sufficiently the connection between the two.

0 (0%) – 12.98 (11.8%)

Did not define or connect greenhouse gases or global warming.

Feedback:

2. Explained economic, security, political, and other challenges that emissions pose to the people of the developing world. Listed the major offenders.

Levels of Achievement:


19.8
(18%) – 22
(20%)

Exceeded expectations in explaining challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

17.6 (16%) – 19.58 (17.8%)

Proficiently explained challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

15.4 (14%) – 17.38 (15.8%)

Explained the challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

13.2 (12%) – 15.18 (13.8%)

Did not sufficiently explain challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

0 (0%) – 12.98 (11.8%)

Did not explain the challenges emissions pose to the economy, security, and politics to the people in the developing world.

Feedback:

3. Explored options to control the growth of the population on a global level.

Levels of Achievement:


19.8
(18%) – 22
(20%)

Exceeded expectations in explaining options to control population on a global level.

17.6 (16%) – 19.58 (17.8%)

Proficiently explained options to control population on a global level.

15.4 (14%) – 17.38 (15.8%)

Explained options to control population on a global level.

13.2 (12%) – 15.18 (13.8%)

Did not sufficiently explain options to control population on a global level.

0 (0%) – 12.98 (11.8%)

Did not explain options to control population on a global level.

Feedback:

4. Included an opening paragraph and a conclusion for this section of the whitepaper.

Levels of Achievement:


19.8
(18%) – 22
(20%)

Included a well thought out opening statement and a conclusion.

17.6 (16%) – 19.58 (17.8%)

Included a sufficient opening and conclusion.

15.4 (14%) – 17.38 (15.8%)

Did not sufficiently include either the opening statement or conclusion.

13.2 (12%) – 15.18 (13.8%)

Missed writing either the opening statement or a conclusion.

0 (0%) – 11 (10%)

Both the opening paragraph and conclusion are missing.

Feedback:

5. Clarity, writing mechanics and formatting

Levels of Achievement:


14.85
(13.5%) – 16.5
(15%)

0-2 errors present.

13.2 (12%) – 14.68 (13.35%)

3-4 errors present.

11.55 (10.5%) – 13.04 (11.85%)

5-6 errors present.

9.9 (9%) – 11.38 (10.35%)

7-8 errors present.

0 (0%) – 9.74 (8.85%)

More than 8 errors present.

Feedback:

6. Meets five minimum reference/citation requirement.

Levels of Achievement:


4.95
(4.5%) – 5.5
(5%)

Exceeds minimum reference/citation requirement

4.4 (4%) – 4.9 (4.45%)

Meets minimum reference/citation requirement

3.85 (3.5%) – 4.34 (3.95%)

Properly references citations used in the assessment but does not reference at least 5 citations.

3.3 (3%) – 3.8 (3.45%)

Does not properly reference citations used in assessment.

0 (0%) – 2.75 (2.5%)

Does not reference any citations in the assessment.

Feedback:

Name:Assignment 1 Rubric

Description:Assignment 1 – Case Study: Social Impact of Population Growth