Exponential Growth: So What?
Human population is growing in the same way.
“Scientists estimate that 2,000 years ago there were about 138 million people in the world. A thousand years later that population doubled to 275 million. By 1650, the population had doubled again, and 200 years later, it had again doubled. At that point, around 1850, a phenomenal rise in the human population began, and population continued to soar through the 1900's.” (World Book™) Between two one hundred year periods, 1700-1800 and 1800-1900, the human population doubled. In the last 100 years, however, human population has tripled, from 2 billion to 6 billion.
But just what is a billion anyway, and is it really something to be so concerned about? Consider this. Imagine you had a full-time job counting to 1 billion. That’s all you did from wake to sleep, day in and day out, starting the second you were born. If it takes you about 3 seconds to say most of the numbers between 1 and 1 billion, you would still be counting at your current age. In fact, you would still be counting when you’re as old as your teacher. And, you would still be counting when you’re as old as your grandparents. That is unless they are 95 years old. That’s when you could stop. Remember though, the Earth now has over 6 billion people. To reach 6 billion, you would have to count continuously for 570 years. Ready, set, go.
It is the illusion that things are growing slowly at first that makes it so hard for people to anticipate the impact of exponential growth.
Human population, human waste, clear-cut forests, landfills, the depletion of raw materials like oil, and metal ores are just a few examples of human activities that are growing exponentially. That may not be such a big deal if the availability of clean water, arable land, agricultural production, and the availability of raw materials also increased exponentially. And here is where the problem lays. The Earth, and all of its features are finite. A finite Earth cannot sustain a population growing indefinitely at an exponential rate.
Exponential Growth Research Ideas
There are many ways in which your school may be contributing to the exponential growth of human population, human waste, and/or consumption of finite resources. Here’s how you can find out:
(1) Research the amount and type of garbage that is discarded at your school over a month period. Can you find out how the amount of garbage produced at your school has changed over the last 10 or more years?
(2) Research the various materials your school purchases and determine how those purchases may contribute to the exponential consumption of finite resources or the exponential growth of waste. Consider the following types of purchases:
a) Paper
b) School meals
c) Maintenance, cleaning, and landscaping supplies
d) Energy used for electricity, heating, and cooling
e) Clothing (sports uniforms and other types of fabrics)
f) Fund raising goods
(3) Examine your school’s science, social studies and health curriculum books and materials to determine if and how well they teach about exponential growth?
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