Final answer:
In the context of environmental concerns, 'disproportional population increase at the bottom of the hierarchy' signifies the faster population growth in low-income countries compared to high-income countries, leading to environmental challenges such as increased waste generation and habitat destruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of environmental concerns, the phrase 'disproportional population increase at the bottom of the hierarchy' refers to the phenomenon where the population of low-income countries, which are typically lower in the global social hierarchy, is growing at a faster rate compared to high-income countries. This can result in environmental challenges such as increased waste generation and habitat destruction.
For example, as the population in low-income countries increases, there is a higher demand for resources and energy consumption, leading to more waste generated. Additionally, the expansion of human settlements and infrastructure to accommodate the growing population can result in the destruction of natural habitats, which can negatively impact biodiversity.
It is important to address this issue and work towards sustainable development strategies that consider the environmental impacts of population growth, especially in low-income countries.