Population growth perspectives

Question 1

Name the 2 pessimistic perspectives

Answer 1

The club of Rome, Thomas Malthus

Question 2

Name the 2 optimistic perspectives

Answer 2

Julian Simon, Ester Boserup

Question 3

Explain the club of Rome’s views

SUSTAINABILITY

Answer 3

1972-Limits to growth in next 100 years-present trends continue
technology increases resource availability linearly
but by altering growth trends of variables sustainable feedback- there will be a sudden and uncontrollable decline in population

Question 4

5 variables affecting club of Rome

Answer 4

world population, industrialization, pollution, food production, resource depletion

Question 5

Explain Ester’s views- Danish

Answer 5

human innovation and tech. advances= food production can keep up with pop. growth
low pop density= land used intermittently (gaps for harvest)- fire clears fields and fallowing to restore fertility
Increasing pop density= reduces fallowing use for annual cultivation
less fertile=fertilizing, weed control, irrigation
agricultural intensification= higher production cost, more work, less efficiency

Question 6

Explain Julian Simon’s views

Answer 6

support Bosserup- humanity innovate its way out of disaster “we have in our hands or libraries, the tech to sustain for next 7 billion years

Question 7

Explain Malthus’ views

Answer 7

pop. grows geometrically (1,2,4,8..)
food and resource provision at slower arithmetic rate (1,2,3,4..)
peasants and subsistence farmers live poorer unless checks cam to place- e.g.SS Africa
positive checks: higher DR- hunger, disease, war
preventative checks: lower BR- abortion, prostitution, celibacy, birth control, marriage postponement

Question 8

Who right?

Answer 8

Malthus- pop. growth grown to 7 billion in 2011, local famines, natural disasters, water shortages- but decreasing and stable/stopped
-catastrophe imminent- unsustainable resources

Bosserup- technology- GM crops, green revolution, land reform- harder in lower income countries