• This article about reaching a global population of 8 billion in November 2022 connects population growth to many climate change topics, including biodiversity loss, unsustainable resource use, increased greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices.
• The article outlines how we got to this point, the many global challenges we face due to rapid population growth, the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, and important solutions.

Positives

• This is a clear and concise overview of the issue of rapid population growth.
• The article highlights the unmet need for equal access to education and access to health care for women, especially in developing countries.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• There are numerous links to additional resources throughout the article.

Differentiation

• Students can choose one topic from the article to investigate further using the linked resources and share their findings with the class.
• This article can be used as a springboard to explore the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
• Students can discuss the benefits and drawbacks of possible solutions to rapid population growth including those mentioned in the article and additional solutions identified by students.
• Science classes can connect this resource to lessons about population dynamics, r- or K-selected species, advancements in microbiology, ecology, habitat loss, mass extinction events, or ecological sustainability.
• Ethics and social studies classes can connect this article to lessons about human rights, equal rights, women's rights, the rights of other species, and the rights of nature.
  
• The article highlights investing in girls' education and family planning programs as a means to curb population growth. To learn more about these solutions, students can read this article by Project Drawdown.
  

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.