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Social Changes
The social changes which are currently
exerting pressure on the environment can
be summarised in the followingcategories:
Population & demographic change
Social & economic development
Changing values and beliefs
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Population and Demographic
Change Greater demand for env. resources and services,
increased waste generation and pollution
First national census in 1904: 5.17 mil people in
South Africa Census 1996: 40.5 mil people
Census 2001: 44.8 mil people
Average growth rate 2% each year trend:
decreasing SA follows an international trend population
increase due to a reduction in mortality rates withfertility rates falling slowly
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High mid-year population estimates bypopulation group for 2008
2008
African/Black 38 730 701
Coulored 4 439 644
Indian/Asian 1 272 403
White 4 584 228
Source: Stats SA, 2009
49 026 976
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High mid-year population estimates bypopulation group and gender (2008)
2008
African/Black
Male 18 658 812
Female 20 071 889
Coulored
Male 2 147 666
Female 2 291 978
Indian/Asian
Male 630 975
Female 641 428White
Male 2 237 699
Female 2 346 529
Source: Stats SA, 2009
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Population by province (2007)
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Population pyramids SA 2005
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Social/Economic Development
Industrialisation/urbanisation, increasedopportunities Movement from rural to urban areas
In 1904: 75% of the SAn population rural
In 1996: 46,3 % of the SAn population rural Higher quality of life: education, services, income, etc.
Poverty in urban areas: informal settlements andenvironmental degradation
Urbanisation concentrates demand of resourcesand the generation of waste products
Urbanisation linked to the rise of the nuclear family increase in the no of households increase in the
demand for resources (land, houses, services, etc).
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Changing Values and Beliefs
Historically most people were rural based and
had close contact with natural system
It was obvious that environmental integrity is needed
for survival
New life in urban settings most people
removed from natural systems
Industrialism promoted the development of a
consumer culture which places great pressures
on the environment (raw materials, waste and
pollution).
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What does it mean? The increase in population means more
resources are needed, more waste and pollutionis produced
Urbanisation means that the demand for
resources and the generation of waste productsis concentrated
Poverty generates environmental degradation need for basic services delivered in anenvironmental friendly manner
Increased affluence and consumerism putspressure on the environment need foreducation, changes in values, attitudes
SA has to address both
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