Posted: July 15th, 2015

HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

University of Toronto at Scarborough Summer 2015
EESA10 H3-Y L01
“HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT”
Assignment #2
Issued: Monday, July 6th
To be completed: By Monday July 20th at 5 p.m. – drop box outside SW-511A
You should use a word processor for your written responses. Your document should
conform to the following: normal (1’’) margins, single-spaced, 12-point print size.
Calculations (if any) may be handwritten neatly. Remember to write your name, student
number, date, and TA’s name.
Use APA style for reference citations. Only reliable websites belonging to governmental
organizations (e.g. the US EPA, Environment Canada, the WHO) and peer-reviewed
journal articles are acceptable sources. No random websites, newspapers, or magazines will
be accepted and remember to reference citations within the text as well.
Link to APA citation guide: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/.
PLAGIARISM IS A SERIOUS ACADEMIC OFFENSE AND WILL BE DEALT WITH
ACCORDINGLY. Check U of T website to see rules:
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize
Please print the marking rubric and attach it to the FRONT of your assignment.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Please print double sided, save paper: save environment
Total Marks: 28
1. According to the United Nation Population Division, AIDS is having a devastating effect on
countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Life expectancy in the 29 hardest-hit African countries is 7
years less than it would have been in the absence of AIDS. In Botswana (Figure 1), the hardesthit
country, one out of four adults is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Table 1
contains both actual (historical) and projected population growth rates for Botswana.
Figure 1. Map of Africa showing location of Botswana
Table 1. Midyear Population Estimates (in thousands) for Botswana for 1950 to 20501
Year
Population (thousands)
1950
430
1960
497
1970
584
1980
903
1990
1264
2000
1607
2005
1640
2010
1637
2020
1617
2030
1537
2040
1452
2050
1412
1US Census Bureau. IDB Summery Demographic Data for Botswana
(http;//www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ipc/idbsum.pl?cty=BC
a) Plot the population data from Table 1. (2 points)
Make sure your line graph has axes titles, units, and an informative title.
b) Interpret the graph you completed in question (a). When does population begin to decrease in Botswana? (1 points)
Explain in no more than 1-2 sentences.
c) Identify and discuss ways in which the social AND environmental impacts of AIDS might affect Botswana. (4 points)
Explain your answer in maximum half of page. Provide at least ONE reference.
d) What action do you think Canada, the United States, and other developed countries should undertake to lessen the impact of AIDS in Africa? (3 points)
Explain your answer in maximum half of page. References not required.
2. Do you agree that 1 in 1 million risk of death in an acceptable risk? Notice that almost everything in table below carries a greater risk than this. Explain. Provide a least TWO references. (8 marks)
Source
Odds (1 in x)
Heart disease
2
Cancer
3
Smoking
4
Lung diseases
15
Pneumonia
30
Automobile accidents
100
Suicide
100
Falls
200
Firearms
200
Fires
1000
Airplane accident
5000
Jumping from high places
6000
Drowning
10 000
Lightning
56 000
Hornets, wasps, bees
76 000
Dog bite
230 000
Poisonous snakes, spiders
700 000
Botulism
1 million
Falling space debris
5 million
Drinking water with EPA limit of trichloroethylene
10 million
Lifetime Changes of Dying in the United States (Data form U.S. National Safety Council, 2003)
3. Write a criticism of the following proposition:
“Although it is impossible to measure the gains exactly, a moderately warmer climate would be likely to benefit Americans in many ways, especially in health and in satisfying people’s preferences for more warm weather. Most people would enjoy higher temperatures, and the evidence supports the proposition that humans would live longer and avoid some sickness. Less cold weather would mean less snow shoveling, fewer days of driving on icy roads, lower heating bills, and reduced outlays for clothing”.
Write a criticism of the above proposition by discussing the risks and/or benefits of climate change to human health.
Explain your answer in less than one page. Provide at least TWO references in total (at least ONE peer-reviewed journal reference). (10 points)