Discussion Questions

  1. In the next 40 years, the majority of population growth is projected to occur in Africa and Asia. How do you think this will impact the average citizen in the United States?
  2. What cultural factors influence fertility rates? For example, what do you think the “ideal” number of children is in our culture? Why?
  3. Do you think the recession has dampened the “pull factors” bringing immigrants to the United States?
  4. Why do you think the idea persists that immigrants are a drain on the economy, despite the fact that they add to the economy?
  5. Of the leading environmental problems, which do you think will become the most serious for humans in the future? Why?
  6. Discuss how global population growth will affect a finite resource for energy production, such as fossil fuels. What do you foresee happening when we run out of oil?