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All 15 Flashcards — Population and sustainability
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Question
What is the IPAT equation?
Answer
Impact (I) = Population (P) × Affluence (A) × Technology (T).
💡 Hint
I = P×A×T
Question
State the IPAT equation and what it is used for.
Answer
I = P × A × T; it is used to explain how population, consumption, and technology combine to determine environmental impact.
💡 Hint
Impact drivers
Question
What is a voluntary family planning programme?
Answer
A strategy that provides contraception, information, and services so people can choose family size without coercion.
💡 Hint
Voluntary + contraception/services
Question
Why is female education considered the most effective long-term population strategy?
Answer
It reduces fertility by delaying childbirth, increasing opportunities, and improving access to family planning.
💡 Hint
Education → lower TFR
Question
In IPAT, what does “Affluence” mean?
Answer
Consumption per person (how much each person uses).
💡 Hint
Consumption per person
Question
Name three environmental pressures linked to population growth.
Answer
Food demand (land conversion), water demand (water stress), and energy demand (emissions and climate change).
💡 Hint
Food + water + energy
Question
Give two ethical arguments against coercive population policies.
Answer
They violate reproductive rights and can lead to discrimination and abuse (e.g., forced sterilisation, gender imbalance).
💡 Hint
Human rights
Question
Give three ways population growth increases environmental pressure.
Answer
It increases demand for food, water, and energy, which can drive land conversion, pollution, and resource depletion.
💡 Hint
Food + water + energy
Question
What two strategies are most effective for reducing fertility ethically?
Answer
Female education and voluntary family planning.
💡 Hint
Education + choice
Question
Why can a small rich population have more impact than a large poor one?
Answer
Higher affluence means much higher per-capita consumption and emissions, raising total impact even with fewer people.
💡 Hint
Per-capita impact matters
Question
Why is “consumption matters more than population” a valid argument?
Answer
Because high-consumption lifestyles can create very large impacts even with small populations, while large low-consumption populations may have lower per-capita impacts.
💡 Hint
Per-capita impact
Question
What is an example of a pro-natalist policy and why is it used?
Answer
Policies that encourage births (e.g., childcare support or tax benefits) used in countries with ageing/declining populations.
💡 Hint
Encourage births
Question
How should you structure an ESS ethics evaluation on population strategies?
Answer
Discuss effectiveness and unintended consequences, then evaluate ethical implications (rights, equity, who decides), and conclude with a justified judgement.
💡 Hint
Effectiveness + ethics + conclusion
Question
Exam tip: When discussing population and environment, what two factors must you include?
Answer
Population size and consumption patterns (affluence), not just total numbers.
💡 Hint
Numbers + lifestyle
Question
Essay tip: What makes a strong conclusion on population management?
Answer
A balanced judgement that weighs effectiveness, ethics, and evidence, and clearly justifies the recommended approach.
💡 Hint
Balanced + justified
Read the notes
Full study notes for Population and sustainability
Topic 8.1 hub
Human populations
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