Al Gore and Paul Kennedy

Al Gore is the vice president of the United States. Paul Kennedy is a historian and author of The Rise and Fall of Great Powers and Preparing for the Twenty-First Century. In Part I of the following viewpoint, Gore argues that high population growth is harming much of the world’s environment, impoverishing people, and causing instability in some nations. Gore maintains that the highest quality family planning information and services should be widely available in all countries. In Part II, Kennedy contends that lopsided demographic growth trends between rich, developed nations and poor, developing ones could erupt into a global crisis. He advocates a multinational response to confront the myriad problems generated by runaway population growth.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is the usual effect of...