L3 - Ethiopia - Malthus Flashcards
What was Malthus’ main idea?
He argued that increases in population would eventually reduce the ability of the world to feed itself. The point at which food produced and food required meet is known as the Malthusian trap.
Why is the Malthusian Theory valid?
Population increases faster than food supply:
- Population increases geometrically - 1, 2, 4, 8, 16
- Food supply increases arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) because farming improvements only come gradually
What are the consequences of the Malthusian theory?
Population growth would outstrip food supply.
- Tensions in society.
- Deaths from famine, war, and disease.
- A sudden fall in population.
Series of collapses, The population rising rapidly again until it hits the ‘barrier’ of slowly increasing food.
Why did Malthus dislike the poor?
As the poor had very little access to resources e.g. land, and the rich owned most of the resources and were comfortable; Malthus felt that it was wrong to give assistance to the poor as they were less able to understand the risks and therefore limit population growth.
What percentage of Ethiopia lives in rural areas?
85%
What are the problems to people in rural areas of Ethiopia due to population growth?
Food insecurity increases for them, and therefore malnutrition, hunger, and famine are major problems.
From 1500 to 1940, how often were there famines in Ethiopia?
In the last 50 years how has this changed?
- From 1500 to 1940, there was probably one famine every 15-20 years.
- In the last 50 years, there has been a famine every 1-7 years.
What is the result for farmers in Ethiopia when production is ruined due to natural hazards, e.g. drought, locusts, and excessive rainfall?
Impoverished farmers and pastoral farmers have no reserves, no cash, and cannot get any food.
What is the main type of farming in Ethiopia, and why does this make people more vulnerable?
Subsistence is the main type of farming, so rapid population growth makes them more vulnerable.
How many infants are born each year in Ethiopia and what are the effects of this?
Two million infants per year means two million more mouths to feed. Two million more children to school in a severely impoverished system.
What are the effects of increased family size in Ethiopia?
Decreased size of food portion and increased population pressure have led to 70% in forestland in Ethiopia. This leaves only 3% of the country’s forests still standing in a world where 4/5 of the people depend on wood for essential energy needs.
What is the projected world population increase by 2050?
Demographers project an increase of 2.6 billion people by 2050, living on roughly the same amount of arable land.
