Answer questions 1 & 2 and any other three (email your answers before class time on Feb. 11, 2004) Answers should be between half a page to two pages per question. Send your answer as an attachment.
 

1. 'The world population was 6.7 billion in 2000 and increased by 85 million from 1999 too 2000. Although our numbers continue to increase, the growth rate (r) has declined slightly over the past several years, from a peak in the mid-1960s of 2.2% per year to 1.4% per year in 2000'. Conventional economic models assume that populations will continue to grow. Do you think economies need to grow? If so, can an economy grow even if the population is stable or declining? (Do not forget jobs' availability and your standard of living)
 

2. What changes have you observed in/around where you live and how have your activities affected the environment? What can you do to reduce or eliminate such impacts?
 

3. Describe the effect of the following on population size: birthrate, death rate, immigration, and emigration
 

4. Some people believe that the world will never run out of resources because research and technology will find replacements for natural resources. Do you agree? Why?
 

5. How is biodiversity important to you? Give specific examples (as many as you can give). Why can't there be more than five trophic levels and how can we use that knowledge to our advantage?
 

6. 'The idea of carrying capacity is not well a thought out concept' Do you agree or not? Use the readings you reported on last week to answer this question.
 

7. "I have nothing to do with environmental degradation." How would you respond to such a statement? List and discuss three major environmental degradations brought on by human activities?

8. "Rocks and minerals have nothing to with environmental conservation." Argue for or against that statement.