Population Change Theories

Question 1

Club of Rome 1972

Answer 1

Public attention with ‘Limits of Growth’ report
5 variable were modelled- population, industrialisation, pollution, food production and resource depletion
Variables will grow EXPONENTIALLY
Technology needed to increase resources will grow at a LINEAR rate
PESSIMISTIC

Question 2

Thomas Malthus 1766-1834

Answer 2

Absence of checks population will grow geometrically- double every 25 years
Even in the best conditions food production will grow arithmetically (1,2,3,4…)
Population will outstrip food production
Natural ‘checks will reduce population - famine war etc….
PESSIMISTIC

Question 3

Julian Simon 1932-98

Answer 3

Increasing wealth and technology allow more resources to become available
Population= solution to resource scarcity and environmental problems since resources and environments innovate
OPTIMISTIC

Question 4

Ester Boserup 1910-99

Answer 4

Increase in population stimulates improvement in technology
Necessity = mother of innovation
OPTIMISTIC