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Re: population growth & physics ed



Another resource for exploring the consequences on Energy of
population growth are the energy simulators (U.S. and World) available
FREE at the web site listed below. As part of this software (where
the student is asked to balance the supply and demand for energy well
into the future), one chooses the year of eventual population
stabilization (since the earth clearly can't sustain an infinite
number of people--this WILL happen) and an ultimate average standard
of living (based on energy use [but adjusted for improvements in
efficiency--also selectable]). The simulation then advances the years
using these parameters to determine the demands and the student must
try to supply the necessary energy without doing excessive damage to
the environment. The population/living standard parameters are
especially critical in the World Model where the student must balance
supply/demand for 6 different regions. As the huge population of Asia
continues to grow and advance towards Western living standards and as
the very fast population growth in Africa swells that continent's
population and its energy use rises above the obnoxiously low current
levels (tied quite naturally living standard), the world energy
demands can increase by as much as 300-600% in the next Century.

FWIW

Rick Tarara

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Richard W. Tarara
Department of Chemistry & Physics Free Physics & Energy Instructional
Software
Saint Mary's College available at:
Notre Dame, IN 46556
219-284-4664 http://estel.uindy.edu/aapt/rickt/software/
rtarara@saintmarys.edu
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