6 Billion and Beyond
1. What differences will another
billion people on the planet make
to us, our children and
grandchildren, and the rest of life
on the planet?
2. What is the relationship between
the growth of the world’s
population and the loss of
habitat?
3. What are three reasons we
should care about population
growth in the U.S. and
throughout the world?
After viewing 6 Billion & Beyond reflect on what you observed, heard
and know about population growth and control. Select 5 questions
from below and write your thoughts/comments. Support with
any factual information you may have.
What is the main message you took away from each country on the
video? What are the similarities and differences among these nations?
What lessons, if any, can the young people in the video teach each
other?
Describe how education, availability of job opportunities and the
spacing of children can have an impact on population growth?
What have been some of the traditional obstacles to women having
access to education and job opportunities in the countries seen in the
video? Why is it important for women to be educated and have access
to job opportunities? What can be done to encourage nations to
provide education and job opportunities for women?
What are the consequences of population growth in developing
countries? How are the challenges similar and different to growth in
developed countries (U.S.)? Which challenges are the greatest?
Describe the dilemma of having too many people to sustain the planet
vs. the rights of the individual to have as large a family as they
choose.
Why has the population increased so dramatically since 1950? In what
ways is this both a positive and negative situation?
Describe the generational conflicts young people throughout the world
are having when deciding the number of children to have? How is the
conflict seen in the nations shown in the video? What are some ways
young people are responding to the older generation who want them
to have more children?
In what ways does rapid urban population growth create special
challenges in major cities?
What are the problems inherent in nations such as Italy, Spain and
France whose populations are declining?
Should the responsibility for family planning belong to women and
men equally? Explain.
The issues of gender equality are not restricted to developing nations,
they are also found in the U.S. How do gender equity issues and
differences between men’s and women’s role in the U.S. compare to
the nations seen in the documentary.