Explain at least one way in which the quantity and quality of water resources have been affected by human population growth. Predict how you think the water supply will be affected by continued human population growth. Support your response with appropriate evidence and scientific reasoning.

Global human population growth is around 75 million annually, or 1.1% per year. The global population has grown from 1 billion in 1800 to 7 billion in 2012.

Although the direst consequences of human population growth have not yet been realized, exponential growth cannot continue indefinitely.

In the late 1970s, China’s “one-child” policy tried to control population growth, but restrictions were relaxed in the early 2000s.

One of the major consequences of population growth is the potential for widespread food shortages.

Most scientists agree that humans and human population growth are causing climate change by emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2).

International treaties to limit greenhouse gas emissions have not been ratified by every country due to economic and political concerns.