Unit 3 Population Puzzle: Examining Earth’s Sustainable Limits

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A. Background Knowledge

1. Listen to the news report about world population growth and fill in the blanks in the notes below as you listen.

Script
Anchor :
Good morning, and welcome to our special report. I’m John Smith. Today, we’re taking a closer look at an important moment―the world’s population has just reached over 8 billion people. But with projections showing this number continuing to rise, it’s crucial we address the genuine challenges ahead.
As our cities grow larger, we’re facing overcrowding and strain on essential services like healthcare and education. It’s becoming harder for everyone to access the support they need, and with the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, this challenge is only going to grow. Not only that, but our planet is also feeling the strain. Pollution is on the rise, and deforestation is happening at an alarming rate. These actions are impacting our climate and biodiversity, threatening the very ecosystems that sustain us.
But amidst these challenges, there’s hope. Experts emphasize the need for genuine population policies that empower families to plan how many children they will have and educate everyone on sustainable resource use. By taking steps now, we can create a world where everyone has access to the resources they need for a healthy, prosperous life.
Thank you for joining us for this important discussion.