Thomas Malthus

1. Thomas Malthus Agree or Disagree?

2. Agree • Reasons theory can be used to predict future population growth: • 1. Population has been rising drastically and exponentially as Malthus said • Limited use of contraception (in some parts of the world; cultural and religious reasons • Political policies and economic decisions • 2. Food supply has increased, but starvation still exists today and has not kept up with population increase • Failure to adopt agricultural techniques (too expensive), cultural practices and governmental policies do not allow for adoption • Conversion of farmland to urban usages • Environmental degradation • Conversion of life-supporting crops for cash crops • Rising fuel costs slows down growth of food distribution

3. Disagree • Reasons some geographers believe Malthus’s theory can’t be used to predict future population growth: • 1. Population has not been rising exponentially • Expanded use of contraception • Political policies (one child: China) has limited growth • 2. Food supply has grown faster than predicted • New technologies: mechanization, factory farming, chemicals, agribusiness • Greater farming efficiency: larger farms • Green Revolution: genetically modified seeds • Expansion of agricultural land • 3. Food preservation • Improved methods of transportation (highways, containers aboard tankers) • Improved methods of refrigeration, packing, and processed foods