Population, Urbanization, and the Environment

Read this chapter for a review of population, urbanization, and the environment. As you read each section, consider the following topics:

  • What are your initial reactions to 12-year-old Todd Domboski? What might your reaction be if this was your son or brother?
  • Focus on demographic measures such as fertility and mortality rates. Then, familiarize yourself with current population trends and patterns.
  • Take note of the process of urbanization in the United States. Also focus on the function of suburbs, exurbs, and concentric zones and urbanization from various sociological perspectives.
  • Take note of the bold terms in this section. On a separate piece of paper, be sure to make a list of challenges presented by pollution, garbage, e-waste, and toxic hazards. Also, focus on real-world instances of environmental racism.

Summary

Demography and Population

Scholars understand demography through various analyses. Malthusian, zero population growth, cornucopian theory, and demographic transition theories all help sociologists study demography. The earth's human population is growing quickly, especially in peripheral countries. Factors that impact population include birthrates, mortality rates, and migration, including immigration and emigration. There are numerous potential outcomes of the growing population, and sociological perspectives vary on the potential effect of these increased numbers. The growth will pressure the already taxed planet and its natural resources.


Urbanization

Cities provide numerous opportunities for their residents and offer significant benefits including access to goods to numerous job opportunities. At the same time, high population areas can lead to tensions between demographic groups, as well as environmental strain. While the population of urban dwellers is continuing to rise, sources of social strain are rising along with it. The ultimate challenge for today's urbanites is finding an equitable way to share the city's resources while reducing the pollution and energy use that negatively impacts the environment.


The Environment and Society

The area of environmental sociology is growing as extreme weather patterns and concerns over climate change increase. Human activity leads to pollution of soil, water, and air, compromising the health of the entire food chain. While everyone is at risk, poor and disadvantaged neighborhoods and nations bear a greater burden of the planet's pollution, a dynamic known as environmental racism.