Human geography review

Big Question
 How does Canada’s standard of living
compare with those of developing
countries, with reference to poverty and
key indicators of human development?

Standards of Living
 are measured using a variety of indicators that
let us know how a county is doing. Measures
like GDP, life expectancy, infant mortality and
literacy rates give us an overall sense of how a
country is doing compared to others.

Developing Countries
 (used to be called 3rd world countries) don’t
have modern infrastructure (roads/ public
transport/ schools/ hospitals/ communication
links) or many industries. Their economies
depend on a few cash crops or other
commodities. Example: Afghanistan, Mali

Mali Stats
Population: 12 million
Population density: 9.1 people per sq. km.
Total fertility rate: 7.0 children per woman
Population doubling time: 23 years
Percentage urban/rural: 26% urban, 64% rural
Per capita energy use: 22 kg. oil equivalent
Infant mortality: 118.7 deaths per 1,000 births
Life expectancy: 48 (male), 49 (female)
Adult illiteracy: 64% (male), 84% (female)
Internet users: 30,000

Newly Industrialized Countries
(used to be called 2nd world)
 Are building up their infrastructure and
industries. Example: Indonesia, China, India

India Stats
India Stats
Population: 1.0 billion
Population density: 318 people per sq. km.
Infant mortality: 66 deaths per 1,000 births
Internet users: 7 million

China Stats
Population: 1.3 billion
Adult illiteracy: 7.9% (male), 22.1% (female)

Developed Countries
 are the wealthiest countries with modern
infrastructure and a varied economy. Example:
Canada, US, Japan

US Stats
Per capita energy use: 8,148 kg. oil equivalent
Infant mortality: 6.7 deaths per 1,000 births

Japan Stats
Per capita energy use: 4,316 kg. oil equivalent

Infant Mortality per 1000 live births

WORLD FERTILITY RATES
Measured as the average number of children each
woman of child bearing age (15-45) is expected to have
over her life time.

WORLD PER CAPITA GDP FIGURES 2006

UN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX, 2003
Uses life expectancy, adult literacy and per capita GDP to
measure development.

UN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX, 2005
Uses life expectancy, adult literacy and per capita GDP to
measure development.

Another Big Question
1. What causes poverty in developing
countries?

Debt
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the
World Bank were set up by the United Nations (UN) after
WW II to help developing countries develop by giving
them loans. The IMF and World Bank encouraged these
countries to build mega projects like dams and irrigation
projects to help the economy grow (increase GDP). These
projects were mostly unsuccessful at getting growth and
many were bad for the environment. In the 1960’s Western
banks loaned more money to developing countries,
especially in Africa. In many cases much of the money
went to corrupt dictators and for military expenditures.
Now most developing countries face
crushing debt loads which make it very
difficult to get ahead.

Poverty leads to more poverty
Because most developed countries are in debt they have to
abide by structural adjustment programs which force them
to cut spending (so they can pay back debt) and focus
on exports. This leads to a cycle of poverty
They can’t invest in health care and education and other
social programs that would get people to advance. They
also can’t invest in infrastructure (roads, telephone
lines, etc) which would make them more advanced.
Exporting lots of stuff gets them money but often
means that much of the arable land is used up so it can’t
grow food for the local people leading to more hunger
and so on.

Lack of Education
Means people are less likely to find work (or
work that pays well). Also prevents people
from learning about other things that
perpetuate their poverty (ex. Birth control)

Low Status of Women
In many developing countries women are
second class citizens to men. As a result
they have fewer opportunities of getting
educated. Women who are less educated are
far more likely to have more children and to
have them earlier in life. Smaller families
improve the chances for economic
advancement.

War
Civil wars and other conflicts are more
common in developing countries and such
events prevent people from living normal
lives and improving their situations.

Infectious Disease:
HIV/ Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis have been
spreading at alarming rates especially in sub-
Saharan Africa. Reasons for this include global
warming (malaria) increased urbanization leading
to unsanitary living conditions and increased sex
trade workers, wars and natural disasters force
people to move and live in unsanitary conditions.
These diseases hurt developing countries
economically because sick people are not as
productive (dead people are even less productive).

Yet Another Big Question
1. What are possible responses to
development issues? (poverty)

Debt Reduction
One solution to developing world poverty is debt
reduction. Because so much of their revenue goes to
paying back debt, these countries don’t have money for the
infrastructure and social programs needed by its people. In
2000 and again in 2005 the G-8 (eight of the most
powerful countries in the world both economically and
militarily -US, Germany, Canada, Great Britain, France,
Japan, Italy and Russia) agree to forgive about 40 Billion
dollars in debt to 20 of the poorest nations in the world in
Africa and Latin America. Here are some examples of the
effects of this debt relief:

International Aid (foreign aid)
About 30% of Canada’s foreign aid money is given in
tied aid which means there are conditions attached to it
like how the money will be spent (ex. Forcing the recipient
country to buy from Canadian companies or developing in
a certain way).
Canada’s foreign aid budget is administered (run) by
CIDA, the Canadian International
Development Agency who’s official mandate is
to, “support sustainable development in developing
countries in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a
more secure, equitable, and prosperous world.” CIDA
gives money directly to foreign governments, to NGO’s
and to UN agencies like UNICEF.

UNICEF – United Nations
Children’s Emergency Fund
Created in 1946 to help children in the
aftermath of WW II, UNICEF tries to
protect children from violence, ensure they
have access to clean water, food, education
and health care.

WHO – World Health Organization
Tries to address the world’s health problems
through immunization programs, research,
diagnosis and treatment.

NGO’s:
Non-governmental organizations
Groups trying to improve things in
developing countries. Free the Children and
Oxfam are examples.

How ready are you?
1. How does Canada’s standard of living
compare with those of developing
countries, with reference to poverty and
key indicators of human development?
2. What causes poverty in developing
countries & What are possible
responses?

8. Which of the following is a characteristic
of a newly industrializing country?
A. decreasing GDP
B. increasing fertility
C. increasing population
D. decreasing life expectancy

9. Which newspaper headline reflects the concept
of tied aid?
A. “Canadians and Americans send funds to
Indonesia”
B. “Canadian government provides aid to the Red
Cross”
C. “Afghanistan and Iraq request Canadian military
supplies”
D. “Canadian company receives profit for
assistance to Rwanda”

The Demographic Transition
Model, Population Pyramids

A big question about population..
Explain the significance of changes in
world population with reference to
population pyramids, distribution, density,
and demographic transition models

Why is population growth a
problem?
• We have seen exponential growth in the world’s
population in the past 200 years. The more people on
earth the more resources are required. Our earth has a
limited carrying capacity meaning it can only sustain so
many people before its natural systems start to fall apart.
Many scientists believe that we have already exceeded
the earth’s carrying capacity and cite as evidence mass
species extinction, global climate change, air quality,
desertification, loss of fish and other environmental
problems. Getting world population under control is one
part of the solution to our environmental problems.

Population Density
• The number of people that live in a certain
area, for example, per square km. India’s
population density is high at 281 people
per square km while Canada’s is quite low
at 2.8 people per square km.
• Bangladesh pop dens = 1000 +.
• Downtown Vancouver pop density =
20000 +

Population Distribution
• The pattern of where people live in an
area. Closely related to population density.

Why is it usually the poorer countries who have
so many kids and hence high population growth?
• Need for large families (kids need to work)
• High infant mortality (kids might die so better have lots)
• Low status of women – husbands can have their way =
kids
• Lack of contraception and education about contraception
• Religious opposition to contraception
• Lack of pension plans for old people (kids become the
pension plan)
• As a country improves its standard of living, infant
mortality goes down, literacy rates go up and people
become more educated causing birth rates to fall. That’s
why the demographic transition model works the way it
does.

How can population growth be
slowed down?
• By addressing the list above – Giving
women more rights, providing access
to literacy education and improving
health care and pension programs in
poor countries.

Model!

Model!
• This model predicts that, as a country develops,
high birth rates and high death rates will fall.
• This model also predicts that countries will pass
through periods of industrialization and
urbanization on the way to reduced birth and
death rates.
• We will examine each individual stage in the
demographic transition model now. Please hold
your applause.

Stage One
Stage one is characterized by high birth rates and
high fluctuating death rates resulting in small
population growth. Plagues, diseases and poor
nutrition keep mortality high.

Stage Two
• Stage two is characterized by improved heath care,
sanitation and increased food supplies leading to a rapid
fall in death rates. Birth rates are still high, so there is a
rapid increase in population numbers.

Stage Three
• Stage three is characterized by a decreased growth rate
of a population. Birth rates begin to fall.
Industrialization, urbanization and improved living
standards lead to less desire for large families.

Stage Four
• Stage four is characterized by the completion of the
transition to a low growth rate with low birth and death
rates. The birth rate may fluctuate in special
circumstances, such as in the post-war “baby-boom.”

Stage Five
• Stage five is characterized by a lower birth than death
rate. This is happening in some European countries
and in Japan. It is not known if this trend will extend to
other regions.

Population Pyramids
 How do population pyramids work?
 What we can we infer from population
pyramids?

Japan’s Population Pyramid - 2003

What a Population Pyramid Tells Us
• A population pyramid tells us what portion
of a population are within a given age
cohort.
70-80
60-70
50-60
40-50
30-40
20-30
10-20
0-10
4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4
Male Female

What they’re all about
• Population
pyramids can
also tell us
what stage of
development a
country is at.

In conclusion…
• The composition of a population can tell us
a lot about the country to which its citizens
belong.
• What do you think Canada’s population
pyramid looks like?

Do You Get It?
For each of the following population pyramids:
1. Describe this countries age and sex structure in
words
2. Describe what its population is likely to do in
the future1.
3. How wealthy are this countries people likely to
be?
4. How healthy are they likely to be?
5. How do you know?
6. Let’s do the first one together

The Dependency Ratio
• The dependency ratio is the proportion of
the population that is being supported by
the working age-group (those aged 15-65).
• For example, while only 33 per cent of
Canada’s population is either under 15 or
over 65 years of age, 53 per cent of
Bangladesh’s population falls under this
category.

4. Which statement accurately describes
Canada’s population?
A. It is predominantly rural.
B. Immigration is the main reason it
continues to grow.
C. Decreasing literacy rates cause
increasing social challenges.
D. Large increase in births ensures that
seniors will be provided for.

The big question again
Explain the significance of changes in
world population with reference to
population pyramids, distribution, density,
and demographic transition models

5. Which of the following is a consequence
of a rising dependency ratio?
A. Infant mortality rates will increase.
B. Fewer workers will reach retirement age.
C. Governments will need more money to
provide services.
D. Developing countries will meet literacy
and health targets.

 Which of the following countries has the
highest birth rate?
a. Canada
b. Rwanda
c. India
d. Germany

 What stage of the demographic transition
model is characterized by high birth rates
and high fluctuating death rates resulting
in small population growth?

 Why would it be beneficial to know how
many people in a given population are
within each age cohort?

The last two big questions
 What are the causes, effects and solutions
of global warming and ozone depletion?
 What are the threats to water quality and
supply in Canada and how can these
problems be solved?

Global Warming (More accurately
called global climate change)

CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING
 The earth naturally heats and cools. However
there is mounting scientific evidence that humans
are impacting the climate through increased
emissions of greenhouse gases like Carbon
Dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) and Nitrous Oxide
(N20) Ozone (03) and Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFC’s). These gases naturally trap heat in the
earth’s atmosphere (which is a good thing
because without them we’d be in an ice age). But
since these gases have been increasing in
concentration over the past 150 years (especially
CO2) the temperature on earth has gone up and
most scientific evidence suggests that unless we
decrease the emissions of the pollutants listed
above, the effects could be devastating.

0%
20%
40%
60%
Greenouse
Gases
Contribution
to Global
Warming
Carbon Dioxide
CFC's
Methane
Ozone
Nitrous Oxide

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING
 Rising sea levels, decreased fish stocks
due to warmer water, extinctions of
species who can’t adapt, increased forest
fires, increased drought, increased tropical
diseases like malaria, more extreme
weather events like hurricanes and
floods…

China. Farm woman in
Guangdong Province, China
carries water a kilometer when
wells and ponds providing water
to her family for 100's of years
dry up in severe drought tied to
global warming.

Tuvalu kids hang out on their "kaupapa," the outdoor sleeping platform favored
by Tuvaluan families, as very high tides inundate their neighborhood, Feb 9, 2005.
Tuvalu, a low lying island nation 1000 km north of Fiji, is threatened by rising sea
level, an effect of global warming.

Marr Ice Piedmont calving into Arthur Harbor on Anvers Island, Antarctic
Peninsula, April 2000. This glacier has receded about 500 M (across the entire
frame from left to right) since the late 1960's when the American Science base
here, Palmer Station, was established. Scientists measuring Antarctic glaciers
with lasers, lidar, photographic overflights, and satellite sensors see hundreds
of glaciers moving faster, thinning, and calving into the sea.

Bangladeshis on edge of eroding village south of Dhaka, only about a meter away
from inundation by the next storm or flood. A one-meter rise in sea level will
displace 20 million people and flood 10 percent of Bangladesh

Big Picture Solutions:
 About 180 countries (including Canada)
signed the Kyoto protocol in 1997 in
which developed countries agreed to cut
emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2%
below 1990 levels by 2012. The US
dropped out in 2001.Canada has said that
it won’t meet its targets. In December of
2007 countries again met in Bali and
agreed to a new round of negotiations on
Global Warming.

Three countries—the U.S., India, and China—have plans in the next decade to
build up to 850 new coal-fired plants, with an average capacity of 386 Megawatts.
Together these plants would burn about 900 million tons of coal each year,
producing about 2.5 billion tons of CO2. How many coal plants could we replace if
we turned to carbon-free renewables instead?

Individual Solutions
 Drive less, drive a more fuel efficient car,
make you home more energy efficient
(light bulbs/ insulation/ high efficiency
appliances), buy local, organic produce,
Eat less meat (CH4)

OZONE DEPLETION
 Cause: Caused by CFC’s (chlorofluorocarbons)
released into the atmosphere from things like
older air conditioners, refrigerators, foams and
aerosol spray bottles.
 Effects: Have lead to a hole on the ozone layer
above the north and south poles and a thinning
of the layer in general increasing the harmful
effects of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation leading
to more skin cancer and harmful effects to
plants and animals.

 Solution: Montreal Protocol was
signed in 1987 agreeing to ban CFC’s.
Although initially levels of CFC’s kept
increasing by 2000 positive effects were
being felt and the ozone layer has actually
begun repairing itself. This is a good
example of the world community
successfully addressing an environmental
problem. The problem is not solved by
we’re on our way it seems.

Fresh Water Quality and
Supply
 Fresh water is abundant but unevenly distributed in
Canada and around the world.
Threats to Water Quality and Supply in Canada and
Around the World
1. Contamination of Water
 The biggest problem with surface water is
contamination. Humans contaminate such water
through:
 Toxic runoff from garbage dumps, oil from cars, etc.
 Disposal of sewage and agricultural and industrial wastes
– farmers chemical fertilizers and herbicides/ factories
discharge wastes into rivers

2. Misuse of Water
 Drain of aquifers – a significant amount
of water humans use for farming, drinking
and industry come from aquifers (naturally
occurring underground water reserves).
When we use too much of these they lose
their water. Also as aquifer’s water table
drops we have to drill deeper and end up
with arsenic and other minerals that are
harmful.

Solutions to Threats to
Canada’s Water Quality and
Supply
 Conservation – industry, agriculture and
private citizens (that’s you) need to use less
water. This can be done through new
technologies like low flow toilets and drip
irrigation for farming and cutting back on
unnecessary use. The Canadian gov’t could
regulate the use of groundwater (charge for it
so there’s incentive to conserve).
 Treatment of water pollution – factories,
sewage treatment plants need to treat their
sewage so it’s harmless once it gets into rivers
and oceans.

The last two big questions again:
 What are the causes, effects and solutions
of global warming and ozone depletion?
 What are the threats to water quality and
supply in Canada and how can these
problems be solved?

10. Which is a correct cause-and-effect pairing?
A. sprinkler restrictions  decreased aquifers
B. increased deforestation  reduced flooding
C. ban on herbicides  less contaminated ground
water
D. filters for pulp mill effluent  less successful
salmon spawning

12. Which of the following is an accurate statement
regarding global warming?
A. CO2 emissions have decreased over the past ten
years.
B. Global warming is most severe in the developing
world.
C. Developed nations produce the most CO2
emissions per capita.
D. Global warming has caused skin cancer rates to
increase dramatically.

1. Describe realistic strategies that Canadians could take to reduce their
negative impact on land, water and the atmosphere.
• Land/Water
• • reducing household waste — less material going into
landfill which could potentially
• contaminate soil and water
• • pressuring their governments to increase recycling
programs
• • reducing their use of household hazardous wastes
(e.g., cleaners, pesticide, etc.) which
• could potentially contaminate soil and water
• • building of waste treatment plants (sewage, etc.) that
more thoroughly treat waste before
• it is released into the water supply
• • calling on governments to pass stricter laws on the
dumping of waste into the water
• supply (e.g., sewage plants, pulp mills, and other
industries)
• • carefully controlling the spread of cities into natural
areas with potential for water
• contamination to occur
• • water conservation techniques: lawn sprinkling
restrictions, low-flow faucets and toilets
• • non-toxic herbicides, insecticides and pesticides used
in agriculture
• • education through government funds
• • promote practise of 3 R’s (reduce, re-use, recycle)

• Atmosphere
• • planting/replanting trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere (reduces
• global warming)
• • participating in “Energy Smart” types of programs around
their house to reduce their
• electrical and fossil fuel usage
• • embrace low or zero emission alternative energy sources
(solar, wind, geothermal, tidal,
• etc.) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
• • join with other countries in reducing atmospheric emissions
(e.g., Kyoto Protocol —
• global warming; Montreal Protocol — ozone layer depletion)
• • purchasing automobiles with cleaner emission technology
(e.g., hybrid engines, hydrogen
• fuel cell, etc.)
• • carpooling — in order to reduce fossil fuel use (reduces
contribution to global warming
• and acid rain); provide tax incentives
• Social Studies 11 – 2006/07 Release Exam List of Possible
Responses Page 2
• • governments could pass laws that include stricter guidelines
and enforcement of
• atmospheric emissions with heavier fines to deter would-be
offenders
• • refrain from purchasing products that contain CFCs or have
used CFCs in their
• production — reduces impact on the ozone layer
• • provide funding/subsidies for alternate energy programs
• • encourage sustainable development practices
• • educate public through government advertisements
• • tax advantage for zero-emission equipment
• • promote sustainability practices through school curricula

Human geography review

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