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Flashcards in Population Resource Debate Deck (34)
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1
Q

Define overpopulation

A

There are too many people in an area relative to the available resources and level of technology available locally to maintain a high standard of living.

2
Q

Who are the optimists?

A

Boserup, Simon, Lomborg

3
Q

Define underpopulation

A

There are too few people in an area to use the resources and technology efficiently.

4
Q

Characteristics of overpopulation

A

low income per capita
high unemployment
underemployment
outward migration

5
Q

Characteristics of underpopulation

A

high income per capita
low maximum income
low unemployment
inward migration

6
Q

define optimum population

A

there is a balance between population size and the amount of resources available. This is a theoretical population that will produce the highest standard of living, and the concept changes when technology improves.

7
Q

Views of optimists (3)

A

population increase means increased demand for food
this means technological improvements are made
therefore population growth continues unchecked.

8
Q

evidence of optimists (general thing)

A

Predictions of past environmental disasters have not occurred.

9
Q

1960s optimist evidence

A

population explosion concerns = growth slowed

10
Q

1970s optimist evidence

A

oil crisis and fear of food supply failure = more oil reserves found and green revolution + intensification of agriculture = more food per head

11
Q

1990s optimist evidence

A

deforestation concerns = rainforests still 80% intact

12
Q

Who was Boserup and what did she publish?

A

A danish economist who published ‘The Conditions for Agricultural Growth’

13
Q

What did Boserup say?

A

Necessity is the mother of invention

14
Q

Boserup argument (3)

A
  • Population approaches limits of food supply
  • Human innovation and technology advances = food supply increases
  • So food production keeps up with growth
15
Q

example for Boserup argument

A

High population density = soil exhaustion and reduced fertility = use fertilisers and irrigate (agricultural intensification)

16
Q

3 pieces of Evidence Boserup

A
  • There is enough food to feed world, problem is distribution
  • Famine only result of growing cash crops (Zimbabwe), natural disasters and wars
  • Yields improved by Green revolution (seeds increased yield by 8x) and GM crops
17
Q

What did Lomborg say?

A

current hunger, deforestation and climate change issues overstated

18
Q

Lomborg argument

A

We should divert resources to the right areas to solve poverty and hunger e.g. Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Cost of tackling climate change too great; should adjust

19
Q

Lomborg evidence (1)

A

Food supplies continue to increase globally due to improvements in agriculture, rising incomes and education

20
Q

Who are the pessimists?

A

Malthus, Club of Rome, Ehrlich

21
Q

Views of Pessimists (5)

A
  • Population increase = increased demand for food
  • Less food per person
  • Increased death rate
  • Decreased fertility
  • Decline in population
22
Q

5 bits of evidence pessimists

A
  • Wars and famines (Sudan, Ethiopia, Sahel)
  • FAO states > 800M chronically malnourished and 2 billion lack Food Security
  • water scarcity predicted to be major issue
  • Climate change
  • non renewable resources (oil) running out
23
Q

When was malthus alive?

A

18th Century

24
Q

malthus argument title

A

Growth is stopped by various factors

25
Q

Explain malthus argument (3)

A
  • Population grows geometrically
  • Food supply grows arithmetically
  • point of crisis reached where population > resources
26
Q

What are the two outcomes malthus?

A

Positive checks

Negative/preventative checks

27
Q

What are positive checks malthus? (4)

A

Population growth > food supply
increased death rate
growth checked by famine, war, disease
population recovers = cycle continues

28
Q

What are negative checks malthus? (4)

A

population growth nearly exceeds food supply
food shortages predicted and growth slows = keep within limits of food supply.
- BR falls due to subconscious decisions: food prices rise and living standards fall = more abortion and birth control, postponement of marriage.

29
Q

3 evidence Malthus

A
  • famine in LEDCs where growth fast = positive checks
  • Attempts to cater for growing population = environmental disasters e.g. global warming, desertification
  • water supply shortage predicted = follows idea for food
30
Q

3 factors suggesting optimists are correct

A
  • Number of deaths due to famine fallen over time
  • Rate of world population growth slowed (2.19% 1963 to 1.13)
  • Food shortages overcome - Green Revolution, GM, land reform
31
Q

3 factors suggesting pessimists are correct

A
  • Population growth still rapid (1.13% 2016)
  • Farming reliant on non-renewables = crisis
  • Millions still malnourished
32
Q

Who are the Club of Rome?

A

A group of industrialists, scientists, economists and statesmen from 10 countries.

33
Q

What model did Club of Rome produce and when?

A

Limits to Growth Model

1972

34
Q

Club of Rome argument

A
  • If present growth trends in population continue, and industrialisation, pollution, food production and resource depletion continue unchanged = limits to growth in next 100 years
  • Sudden and uncontrollable decline in population and industrial capacity