Final answer:
The benefit of a growing human population is potential economic growth. However, this benefit comes with significant challenges such as increased resource consumption, environmental stress, and potential biodiversity loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regards the potential benefits of a growing human population. Among the options provided, potential economic growth is one viable benefit of a growing population. As population increases, there may be more workers and consumers, which can drive economic expansion and innovation. However, this growth comes with challenges, such as the need for increased food production, strain on resources, and environmental concerns.
It is important to note that while economic growth can be seen as a benefit, it does not come without its costs. A growing population can lead to increased resource consumption and stress on the environment. For example, the claim that biodiversity will either increase or decrease with human population growth is overly simplistic and depends on various factors like conservation efforts and how human activities are managed. Additionally, the carrying capacity of the Earth is a matter of considerable debate, with concerns that further population growth could lead to resource shortages and environmental degradation. Public health advancements have contributed to population growth by reducing mortality rates, but they do not prevent the eventual challenges of an expanding population.