Population Explosion
1. Look at the U.S. Census Bureau’s World Population Clock gives an up to the second estimate of the world population. By how much does the population grow in 1 minute? How many people is that per second? Per week?
2. Using the U.S. Census Bureau’s State and County Quick Facts, find the most recent population estimates for Georgia and Forsyth County. How does your county population compare to the number of people the world population grows by each week? Are you surprised by the results?
3. Look at this graph of Historical Estimates of World Population. In what year did the world population start to suddenly increase? What do you think might be the cause for this?
4. How might historical events or the quality of life during different historical periods have influenced population growth? Check the World HyperHistory site to see what may have influenced population growth during different periods in time. Focus on major historical events such as different Disease events and World Wars.
5. According to this Population Growth Rate Map, in what areas of the world has the population been growing most rapidly? Why do you think this is?
