1. Managing change in the human environment Population Change How can population change be managed?

2. Why do we need to manage population change? Countries with too many people for their resources and a poor quality of life may want to reduce the birth rate Countries were few children are being born may not have enough people in the future to look after an ageing population Migration to find work, natural hazards or war can affect population and create refugees and asylum seekers Non Government Organisations (NGOs) NGOs such as population concern and UNICEF work to support people in improving the quality of their lives e.g. contraception or aid. This does have an effect of the number of children that are born.

3. How can some of the causes of population change be managed? LEDCs Birth Control - countries can actively encourage people to have less children and use contraception. China has enforced a one-child policy onto its population, but it may be possible to change the social environment as in Kerala, leading to people wanting fewer children. Education - educating women can contribute to a reduction in the birth rate (e.g. Kerala) Agricultural reform - changes in farming such as using appropriate technology may improve yields and lessen stress on the land. Healthcare - improved healthcare may help very poor people to see that they do not have to have six children to ensure that three will live long enough to help them in their work and look after them in their old age. (e.g. Bangladesh) Employment - many people choose to have fewer children if they have work, money and their standard of living rises.

4. How can some of the causes of population change be managed? MEDCs Standard of living - if this falls in an MEDC and people become poorer, they may choose not to have children. If people think life will get better, they may have more children. Choice - some people just do not want children. The average family size is shrinking and in the UK is now 1.7 children per family, down from 2.4 in the mid 1990s. Governments may encourage their populations to have more children.

7. How can some of the effects of population change be managed? LEDCs Food supplies, access to clean water, healthcare and education can all be developed with the help of NGOs, governments and foreign aid. Migration of workers to other countries means that money is sent back to the family left behind. Agricultural change and reform may enable people to feed large families The education of women often leads to a smaller family size MEDCs Healthcare is used more by older people than younger. Housing demands are changing, with as greater need for sheltered accommodation, retirement villages and more housing Employment needs will change with the increase of the elderly, including their care Lifestyle changes for older people may see a later retirement age, more leisure and travel