Final answer:
The global population and consumption patterns have significantly increased in the last 50 years due to urbanization, advances in agriculture and medicine, and rising disposable income, exacerbating the disparities in resource distribution amongst global populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the last 50 years, we have witnessed significant increases in both global population and consumption patterns. The world has added approximately 90 million people annually, and this exponential growth, alongside rising consumption levels in developed nations, has exacerbated the distributional challenges of limited resources. The divide between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' is outlined in terms of global inequalities in resource consumption and purchasing power. Sustainable practices are now required to manage a projected global population reaching up to 12 billion by 2050, requiring a balance of consumption rates among the population.
Urbanization trends, following the Industrial Revolution, have moved people from rural to urban areas, often raising living standards and altering family size and structure. Despite these trends, disparities remain within countries, where only core regions sometimes benefit economically. Advances in agriculture, medicine, and communication, among other areas, have also proliferated human population growth.
Additionally, the relationship between income and consumption reflects the growth in personal disposable income and consumption levels, both of which have seen substantial advances from 1962 to 2010. The result is a far greater demand for energy and resources compared to past centuries.