Jacob Dearing
Dec. 16th, 2015
Critical Abstract #18
Article author: David Bloom
Article title: 7 Billion and Counting
Like most topics that surround scientific projections they must be held under a lens of scrutiny. It is important to ask questions that produce the need for refined accuracy in measurements because these measurements guide policies that will shape the future of the world. Furthermore, these measurements influence the beliefs and actions of readers that see figures and make assumptions. This is the reason for David Blooms article that focuses on numbers, specifically population numbers and ratios. The difference in the projected range for total world population between 2050 and 2100 is larger than the current world population of seven billion indicating a vast margin of uncertainty. However, uncertainty is always variable and the importance behind its existence is its reason for incorporation. The total number is seen as uniform in the public eye but uncertainties stem from the characteristics of how population is laid out across the planet. These are the statics that Bloom focuses on: population ratios between developed and developing countries, urbanized and rural communities, population density based on variations in regions. The most demanding ratio is seen in developing countries holding the majority of the top ten highest populations. Again, information such as this guides the decisions that will be made to resolve perceived problems. When the measurements show great variations in bordering geographic regions in the three ratios listed above it provides a sense of urgency to produce accurate projects that could lead to true resolution of population growth issues.