All case studies Flashcards
CASE STUDY – China –
Population distribution and economic development at a national scale
CASE STUDY – China –
Population distribution and economic development at a national scale
…People are moving from the outskirts to the city to receive economic prosperity…
Location: Country in East ASIA
Population: Largest population worldwide (1.4 billion 2017)
The population distribution:
Due to physical geography the population is very uneven.
East coast - urbanization
West cost - isolation
94% located in the East coast (more developed)
6% in the West (less developed)
Coastal zones, lower reaches of river valleys –trade and commerce
Desert (Gobi desert), steep slopes, dry grass lands – dry and steep - can’t produce crops
90% of the population live on 8.2% of the land but in LIC’s (inner Mongolia) 4% of the population live on 50% of the land
Economic growth impact on population:
Higher GNI per capita income was higher than average meaning a population increase.
China population distribution predication:
• By 2020 350 million new inhabitants.
• Urbanization creating mega-regions housing a number of mega cities (over 10 billion people) and millionaire cities
Internal migration outline: • IN 1978 the world’s largest internal population movement - 160 migrant shave moved from rural areas to urban places to receive 40% higher wages ⎫ Helped Chinese economy o Increased labor and land costs o Rural urban wealth inequities widened
CASE STUDY – South Africa –
Population distribution and economic development at a national scale
Location: A country on the southernmost tip of the African content
Population distribution: Very uneven. Decreases from SOUTH-EAST to NORTH-WEST.
Some regions have 100 people /km2 and others 5 people km2
Economic growth impact on population distribution: Populated areas are found due to- • Good mineral resources (gold /diamond) • Trading • Farming potential • Rainfall
Outline internal migration: (3 main periods)
- Economic migration – linked to industrial development
- Forced migration – Linked to apartheid movement
- Voluntary migration – Linked to collapse of apartheid system
Between the two world wars South Africa’s industry boomed thus many black individuals migrated back to cities to work as migrant labors in gold and diamonds mines
South Africa set up an apartheid policy between 1948- 1994 as white national parties had political control. Under the policy 4 million black people were forced removed from white areas and returned to homelands. Also restriction on entraining white towns were made – influx control
Migration is circular motion – worker moves repeatedly between home and host areas
CASE STUDY –India, Mumbai–
Consequences of a megacity growth
Location: One the Indian plate, west coast of India (key access to trade point)
Population: India’s largest city is Mumbai with 18 million people
Main slum called Dharavi
Why did it develop into a megacity:
- Changed economic industry –
Before 1970’s fishing villages After textiles / important Technology (aerospace/ engineering) - Many TNC’s are based here “Tata group” and “ Bombay stock exchange”
- Contains quaternary sectors (Department of atomic energy)
- Increased development = 18 million
Problems:
o 9 / 12 million live in slums
o Uneven gender ratio (Female: 838 / Male:1000)
o Rapid growth = unemployment, underemployment, decrease access to healthcare, poor sanitation and access to electricity.
o 4,000 cases of diphtheria and typhoid a day
o Main slum is home to 1 million people in 2km
Benefits:
⎫ Very lively and provide lots of activities
⎫ 85% of the adult’s work locally
⎫ Major recycling industry’s although they can be dangerous
CASE STUDY –Syria –
Migration
Location: Western Asia, bordering Lebanon
Causes of migration:
- Emergence of fundamental Islamic group Isis (known as IS) lead to 10 million people being displaced
- Syrian conflict began a civil war but extended to Iraq when Isis declared them both Islamic “caliphate”
- People feared they’d be killed, captured or forced to live under severe and harsh Islamic rule.
= Refugees to neighboring countries
Where do they go and why?
- A lot easier to be internally displaced than internationally displaced.
- 4 million people are internally displaced and 4.5 million people Syrian refugees in 5 other countries.
- Zaatari refugee camp camp in Jordon just 8km from the Syrian border is the 2nd largest refugee camp.
Effects of migration:
- 1.4 million refugees in Lebanon that ¼ of their population
- Increased poverty
- Severe economic and environmental consequences
- Strain on health, education services, electricity, water and sanitation systems
- Schools forced to provide places for up to 100,00 Syrian children
CASE STUDY – Nigeria –
Forced migration
Location: West of Africa
Nigeria has the 3rd largest number of IDP
In 2014 a terrorist group “Boko Haram” kidnapped 276 school girls from the village of Chibok in Northern Nigeria
The fear of Boko Harams violence has caused people to flee the region.
3 Million people have been internally displaced within Nigeria - 250,000 due to Boko Haram
Effects of displacement-
60% of farmers have been displaced = less produce harvested
1/3 of the regions healthcare has closed down, and healthcare workers have been abducted and killed.
People are lacking fresh water, sanitation.
Homes, services and infrastructure have been extremely damaged and Boko haram continue to attack schools.
CASE STUDY – Japan –
Aging populations
Location: An island country in east Asia
Situation:
Since 1945 Japans population structure has greatly changed due to an decrease in both birth and death rates creating an ageing population.
Statistics:
Elderly living along increased from 0.8 million (1975) to over 2.5 million in 2000.
Since 2000 youthful population declined, In 2015 they only account for 13% of population
Causes:
- One child policy (explained in different age study)
- Decreased birth rate
- Increase life expectancy
- People prefer being single, prefer technology
- Harder to find people in an elderly population to date
- Increased contraception
- Family planning
Affects:
- Depletion of labor force
- Depletion of military
- Deteriation of economy
- Increase cost of funding pensions and healthcare
- New leisure facilities needed for elderly
- A trade deficit
- Migration of Japanese industries to other countries
- Falling demand for schools and teachers
- New jobs needed for the elderly
- New leisure facilities needed for elderly
- High cost for funding pensions
- Increase in the burden of working population
- Reduced demand for goods for the working population
- A need for in-migration to fuel any increase in the workforce.
Solutions:
- Government increased retirement age to increase workforce
- Only allowed in hospital for three months to decrease elderly
CASE STUDY – Chinas 1 child policy
Anti-natalist
Population -1.3 billion – Largest population
Why was china’s population so large?
- After ww2 as people were encouraged to have as any kids as possible due to the belief that population growth empowered a country.
- For every square kilometer there are 139.6 people
Why was the one child policy imposed:
Goal – was to reduce china’s population as it was too rapidly growing.
Malthus’s theory is that when a population overtakes resources god will send death and famine. To avoid this the policy was introduced.
WHEN was it introduced:
In 1976 the one child policy was imposed, known as the most severe and controversial methods.
The effect:
Slowed population by 4 years
Birth rate fell from 17 per 1000 from 33 per 1000 (1970)
Reduced population growth in a country of 1.3 billion by as much as
300 million people over 20 years alone
Prevented 400 million births
Disparate ratio of 118 males: to 100 females compared to the global norm of 107 boys: 100 girls
Males are more valued then females = females aborted and orphaned
In 2015 the Chinese government changed the policy to allow couples to have 2 children instead of one.
Rules varied to the location of the family. Some stated that that if the first bay was a girl the family could have another. Farmers were always allowed to have two due to having more space and using them for agriculture.
Policy worked too well = ageing population for the next 20 years.
How was the policy forced:
- Social compensation fee (fine of 4 years wages). Sometimes government took physical items.
- Free contraception
- Family planning network across the country that monitors women
- Propaganda / advertising
- You have to have a permit to be pregnant
- Pre-matal classes
- Free healthcare, free education, housing preference
Advantages:
⎫ Female healthcare has improved = higher life expectancy
⎫ Infant mortality has dropped (during child birth especially)
Problems / side effects:
o Little emperor syndrome – children become brats as parents give them all the attention.
o Policy is unfair, some places allow 2 kids while others don’t.
o Forced abortions / sterilization / cohered – illegal after 20 years
o 70 million men with no chance of marriage – leads to kidnapping and poor lifestyle = crime increases.
CASE STUDY – Russia
Pro-natalist
A comprehensive set ofpronatalistmeasures came into effect in January 2007.
Russia population position:
- In 2000’s deaths outnumbered births by 958,500
- In 2000’s natural increase was -6.6 per 1000
TFR was 1.1 children per women and falling
Population falling by 700,000 each year
Why do they have a pro-natalist policy:
- High infant mortality rate
- Low fertility rate
- Decreasing population
Why did it occur:
- Poor reproductive healthcare services
- Lack of modern contraceptives
- Widespread and unsafe abortions
- High divorce rates
- Infertility due to unhealthy life styles
- Women wanted high living standards thus chose fewer children
- Increased education = more working women
- Aging population structure
The incentives:
- Women who gave birth to 2/3 kids were offered $9,200
- Good reputation – women with large families are called “Hero Mothers” and given medals and gifts
- Increased child benefits and longer maternity leave
- September 12th –“Day of conception”, if u got pregnant nine months later you would receive cars, Tvs, ect. A day relived of work.
- All expense paid summer camp for young adult
- Gave women 40% of what they previously earned if they left their jobs to have kids
- Government considered tax for no children
Effects:
- Increased birth rate in the following year of 4.5%
- In 2010 fertility rate was 1.55 compared to 1.2 the previous year
- In 2012 birth rates increased by 7.2%
CASE STUDY – India, kerala
Gender and literacy equality
Location: South-West of India
Autonomy- means being able to rule without having to obey some other higher authority
Background:
- Most densely populated area in India
- Even spread of population and no large cities
- Remarkable success in improving health, literacy and education and in decreasing birthrates.
- Its success is more remarkable as it has a lower per capita than the rest of India
Factors related to Kerala’s success:
- Autonomy and stability of the government
- Long standing and continuing social reform
- Status of women in society
Roles of women in Kerala:
- Tradition of female employment with girls educated the same as boys
- Open access to universities where women often study to be doctors or nurses
- Jobs open to women in the health sector since early 2000’s
- Women have autonomy
- No tradition of payment or obstacles to remarry
Other remarkable factors:
- Highest female to male ratio
Theirs - Female: 1,084 : Male: 1000
Average - Female: 940 : Male: 1000
- Increased literacy rate from 90% in 1991 to 94% in 2011
- Female literacy rate increased from 86% to 92%
- Low infant formality rate 13 per 1000 compared to national average of 80
- High life expectancy of 74 for females and 70 for males
- TFR is low, 1.9
Remaining problems:
- Women are marginalized in the economic process and have a lack of control over resources.
- Work participation Is 18% for women compared to 53% for men
- Women are concentrated in low paying jobs such as farming, cotton industry’s and domestic services.
3 main ways to gain access to economic resources:
1) Participation of labor market
2) Acquiring a share of the family property
3) Establishing a business or taking part in the informal economy
Happens because women are looking after the house and people
What has been done:
A number of self-help groups (SHGs) have been set up to empower women from poor households.
Women meet weekly in neighborhoods to discuss experiences and get training.
There are also microfinance systems
CASE STUDY – Nigeria
Trafficking Nigeria women to Europe
Many women are trafficked from Nigeria to Europe with the purpose of sexual exploitation
Europe’s more persistent trafficking flows, Nigerian women accounting for 10% of trafficked people in Western / Central Europe.
What did the women believe:
Women believed they were going to a new life and sign a contract. They are trafficked to Europe to say debts as big at $40,000 -$70,000.
Threats may be made to family members and women are controlled by their “madams”.
CASE STUDY – Ethiopia
Demographic divide
Since 2000 Ethiopia has made very good progress in improving health and development in people.
- Infant and maternal morality are on decline
- Literacy has nearly doubled
- Women reproductive health has increased
- Use of contraceptive methods increased from 6% in 2000 to 27% in 2012.
NOW= Women have 4 children compared to 6 a decade ago
Yet Ethiopia still has a long wat to go to meet demographic divide requirements:
- Increase investment in family planning
This is because 40% of Ethiopia’s population is under the age of 15.
In 2030 it is predicted Ethiopia will receive the structure it needs for a demographic divide
CASE STUDY – South Korea
Demographic divide
A good example of the advantages gained from decreasing fertility rates.
Between 1960 and 1990 South Korea made a rapid transition from high to low fertility.
How did it do this:
- Addressed population problems
- Investing in reproductive health systems
- Investing in education
- Investing in economic policies
= Create infrastructure and manufacturing
In more detail:
- They followed an aggressive population policy
- Government invested in health centers to provide services and family planning
- Target of 45% of married couples to use family planning
- Showed that fewer children – better life
By 2005, fertility dropped to 1.2 children
Shifting the education strategy:
- Educated people with the knowledge and skills they needed to achieve economic development.
- Shift in focus and commitment to education contributed to 97% of school aged children attending school in 1990.
Economic planning:
- In the 1950s the economy was farming and fishing. Improved relations with Japan led to investment capital that strengthened the industry and allowed shipping.
- Government also addressed unemployment through a program that provided minimum wage for workers.
CASE STUDY – Greenland – Negative feedback
Location: A Massive island located in the continent of North America
What is happening:
Since 2002 the Greenland’s ice which were previously to tall and cold to melt. They now pour billions of gallons into the Northern Atlantic.
From 1979 – 2002 Greenland’s sheet maximum melt area increased by 16%
In 2016 almost 12% of the ice sheets were melting two months early beating the previous record of 10% in 2010
Effects:
- Risen see levels
- Threat of the return of very cold winters to Britain
- Increased melting could shut off the currents to the Gulf Stream. Meaning snow would be dumped instead of being rained thus meaning a colder continental climate.
CASE STUDY – Swiss glaciers – The retreat of Swiss glaciers
Location:
Switzerland is located in central Europe. Swiss alp’s are situated in the South of Switzerland.
Current situation:
Glaciers are predicted to recede at an accelerated rate. This will lead to a massive change in landscape.
The glaciated surface of the Swiss alps declined from 1,800 kms to 1,300kms in 1971, a loss if one third.
The surface area decreased from 4.4 to 3.15 % (loss of 1.3%)
The glacier has retreated over 2.5 kms in the last 130 years, it has been in continuous decline.
CASE STUDY – USA –
Destruction of forests
Current situation:
Dense American forests are a significant carbon sink, absorb around 13% of greenhouse gases that the US emits through burning fossil fuels.
How climate change is affecting forests:
- Fire
- Insect infestations
- Drought
In 2015 over 10 million of Americans 766 acres were consumed by fires.
This was the biggest burning since 1960.
It cost the US government over $2 billion.
Fires role in the natural system:
- Clears away diseases
- Remove leaf litter
- Create space for new growth
- Prevent buildup of wood materials
The mismanagement:
- Planted dense forests to replace the old ones, increasing the impact when they do occur
- Climate change is belived to make up California’s drought 15-20% more severe
Insects:
- They say insects are as bad as droughts in regards to trees
- Insects as well as droughts killed 26 million trees in California
- Drought stressed trees lose their ability to repel insects. Spruce beetle populations are growing rapidly.
- Both drought and insects will get worse with climate change.
Mitigating the effects:
- Requires a massive intervention to clear dead trees
- In 2015 the USFS spent more than half their budget on firefighting and by 2025 67% will be used on firefighting.
- Trees are forced uphill due to warmer and drier climates
