Chapter 15: Population, Urbanization, and Environment Flashcards
Demography
the study of population
Fertility
The incidence of childbearing in a society’s population
The crude birth rate
Number of live births in a given year for every thousand people
Fecundity
Maximum possible childbearing
Refined birth rate
the ratio of total births to the total female population, considered during a period of 1 year
Zero population growth
Level of reproduction that maintains population in a steady state; under-population might be a problem
Sex ratio
Number of males for every 100 females in a nation’s population
Urban decentralization
Desertion of downtown areas for outlying suburbs
Megalopolis
Vast urban area containing a number of cities and surrounding suburbs
Gemeinschaft
Social organization in which people are closely tied by kinship and tradition
Gesellschaft
Social organization; people together based on individual self-interest
Mechanical solidarity
Social bonds based on common sentiments and shared moral values
Organic solidarity
Social bonds based on specialization and interdependence
The blase urbanite
Simmel; ”Tuning out” used as a strategy for social survival
Ecology
The study of the interaction of living organisms and the natural environment
Environmental deficit
Profound and long-term harm to the natural environment caused by humanity’s focus on short-term material affluence
“Logic of growth”
More powerful technology has improved our lives and discoveries will make the future better
Limits to growth
Humanity must implement policies to control growth of population, production and use resources to avoid environmental collapse
Environmental racism
Pattern by which environmental hazards are greatest for poor people, especially minorities
“A recycling society”
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“A disposable society”
- We consume more products than virtually any other nation
- 136 million tons of our solid waste ends up in landfills
- Recycling becoming more common in U.S
