Question

What conclusion can you make about environmental quality using information from the graph?

The World Population growth graph shows the annual growth rate for the world population and the total world population between 1700 and a predicted 2100. Between 1700 and 1900, the growth rate stays steady at half a percent and the population grows from one billion to two billion. From 1925 to 1970, the population rate and total population make a sharp increase, peaking at two percent growth rate and at about four billion people by 1970. Between 1970 and a predicted 2100, population rate sharply decreases to almost 0.1 percent. During that same period, the total population continues to grow with its curve beginning to flatten at 11 billion people in the year 2100.
A) A world population of 10 billion by 2050 could increase food demands and pollution.
B) Decreased growth rate of human population by 2100 will protect Earth's resources.
C) Population growth rate has increased since 1980, depleting natural resources.
D) World population will be at 0.1% by 2100, protecting environmental quality.

Answer 1

The answer is A) A world population of 10 billion by 2050 could increase food demands and pollution.

The graph shows that the world population is projected to continue growing through 2100, although the population growth rate is decreasing. A larger human population will demand more food and resources, and produce more waste and pollution, straining the environment. The graph does not provide enough information to support the other answer choices.

In summary, the key information that points to answer A is:

- The total world population continues to grow, meaning more demands on resources and production of waste.

- Reaching a population of 10 billion by 2050 is implied by the continuing growth trend in the graph.

The graph does not say anything definitive about depleted natural resources (choice C) or the population growth rate by 2100 (choice D). While a lower population growth rate in the future could help protect the environment (choice B), the graph only shows a projection and does not conclusively prove this will be the outcome.

So based on the information provided in the graph, the most supported conclusion about environmental quality is that a large human population will likely increase demands and pollution.