GEOg #9

Joy Prior
Geog 120
Section 005
#9: POPULATION
Population growth is one of the most pressing concerns for the less developing countries of
the world found primarily in Africa and Asia. Select an article dealing with population
concerns in a LDC (less developed country) such as size, density, growth, urbanization, etc.
and discuss it in terms of the specific problems created for the country involved. Why does
the particular population problem exist? What measures are being taken, if any, to deal
with the problem? Do you find this particular problem in the developed countries of the
world? Why might a population problem in the country studied be a concern for the rest of
the world?
Region: North America
My region is North America, and because of this I had a difficult time finding a LDC within my region. I hope to examine the question “Do you find this particular problem in the developed countries of the world?” because the United States and Canada are both considered well developed countries. The problem with over population growth in the news reports I found was not due to less development of technology, but consumption. In this response I hope to capture how the issue of population growth is being dealt with in less developed regions of the United States, and how the high consumer rate in the United States contributes to overpopulation problems.

Avelar, Licia. Vertical Farming- The Future of Our Food? LongIslandPress. 27 February 2011. Web. February 2011. http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/02/27/vertical-farming-the-future-of-our-food/

The problem of consumption within the United States relates directly to population growth concerns. Although the United States has 30% of the world’s population it consumes 35 to 30 percent of the world’s fossil fuels, and its citizens consume the most natural resources per capita. The impact of the United States population is global; not just in the influential and political sense that we like to see ourselves being.
Vertical Farming is an innovative way to introduce agriculture into urban cities. Fields of wheat and orchards of apples in between skyscrapers and highways is almost so outlandish the image feels eerie. In cities were space is a precious commodity, and food is in high demand thing can literally only go up from here. The answer according to Dickson Despommier, a professor at the University of Columbia is vertical farming. After publishing his book the idea skyscraper greenhouses that will employ hundreds, eliminate deforestation, have a year round growing season, and produce as much as fresh fruits and vegetables seem like an actuality.
In some areas vertical farming is not just being talked about, but blue prints are being drawn. Above the blaring horns and police sirens there is a patchwork of gardens sprouting. Entire complexes work together to create a community garden on the only space available, roof tops. Some are even suggesting that the rooting abandoned buildings with their broken windows and spray pained walls be renovated into larger community gardens. The Manhattan Whole Foods took gardening to a whole new level when it started construction on a nearly four million dollar commercial scale greenhouse farm. The goal is to produce over 30 tons of vegetables, herbs, and fruit within a 15,000 square foot greenhouse; it is on the roof top.
It is not just about the farming, fresh food, or the jobs. This is an example of inventions directly related to population growth. According to the author, “Vertical farms were initially an idea for urban centers worldwide like New York City where they will provide plenty of food for the massive populations but the idea doesn’t stop there. A suburban area like Long Island would benefit from indoor farming too.” Population growth is a problem for even developed countries in North America, but just like ever problem there are people working and thinking about a solution.