Population theorists

Population theorists

1. Pessimists

   • Malthus (and Neomalthusians)
     • Population and demand for food increase faster than food supply
       • Insufficient food for the population
         • Increased levels of misery
           • war
           • Famine
             • Decreased fertility levels
           • Disease
         • Increased levels of moral restraint
           • Celibacy
           • Later marriage
             • Decreased fertility levels
         • Increased incidence of...
           • Abortion
             • Decreased fertility levels
               • Decline in population
           • Infanticide
   • Neomalthusians
     • Technologies and consumption patterns
       • Environmental degrading
       • Resource depletion
     • Evidence
       • Wars and famines
         • Ethiopia
         • Sudan
         • Sahel
       • Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) - 800 million are chronicallly malnourished
       • Populationg growth in LEDCs increased after death fate fell
       • Water scarcity is predicted to be a major resource issue
         • By 2050, 45% of the world population will live in areas that can't provide 50l needed per day for basic needs - UN
       • Climate change

2. Optimmists

   • Ester Boserup
     • Technology leads to
       • Development of resources
         • Intensification of farming
         • Provide for the population
     • Demand
   • Simon and Lomborg
     • Pesticides causing cancer - 1960s
       • No rise in cancer linked to pesticides
     • Running out of oil - 1970s
       • Oil reserves increased
     • Failure of food supply - 1970s
       • Green revolution and intensification
         • Food production per head increased
     • Nuclear fear - 1970s
       • Nuclear accidents rare
     • Desertification - 1980s
       • Deserts have not advanced
     • Acid rain damage - 1980s
       • Acid rain has killed no forests
     • Ozone layer thinning - 1980s
       • Rainforests still 80% intact
     • Elephant on point of extinction - 1980s
       • Elephant never in danger of extinction
     • Deforestation - 1990s
       • Rainforests still 80% intact