Lecture 2: Malthus Flashcards
1
Q
Who is Malthus
A
Wrote an essay on the principle of population that warned of excessive population growth, leading to famine, war, disease
2
Q
what is the Malthusian catastrophe
A
we will reach a point where there are more people than we can feed. It will cause riots and mass destruction
3
Q
threats to food production and security
A
fertility decline (salinity, desertification), pathogen establishment, climate no longer compatible, global trade disruptions
4
Q
Rothamstead experiments
A
longest running agriculture experiment that has multiple plots - no input plot, input plot, and optimal modern system plot
5
Q
Solutions to Malthusian catastrophe
A
- reducing consumption, waste, and biofuel diversion
- introduce modern varieties, fertilizers, pesticides to developing countries
- optimize food distribution networks
- Change food expectations
- urban living
