1. The end of human civilisation?
Learning Objectives:
To examine the theories of futurists
To use evidence to decide who has got it right
Starter:
What does this graph tell you about the relationship between population and food supply?

2. Boserup’s basic theory
MALTHUS
BOSERUP
We’re all going to die!!
Boserup’s basic theory
1965
“An essay on the principle of population”
- Published 1798
Don’t be so dramatic old man!!
Natural checks control population growth
Resources = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…
Population = 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32…
Necessity is the mother of invention

3. Name a natural check shown in the pictures
Name the man
Name the woman
Name a natural check shown in the pictures
Draw a version of the man’s graph
What date was the man’s essay written?
Draw a version of the woman’s graph
What date was the woman working on her theory?
Complete the saying…
“Necessity is the mother of…….”
Quick quiz option – how much can they remember?

4. To examine the theories of futurists
Learning Objectives:
To examine the theories of futurists
To use evidence to decide who has got it right
Believed that population was getting bigger quicker than human’s ability to produce food.
Had a positive view of population growth.
Believed that human’s were intelligent beings and would invent solutions to problems such as a lack of resources.
Believed that once a ‘point of crisis’ had been reached, there would be a ‘natural check’. This could be a famine, a natural disaster or a war.
Believed that if people were facing a crisis (lack of resources) they would invent a way to avoid a natural check.
Believed that if the population got too big, there would be a ‘point of crisis’.
Believed that the world’s population could continue growing indefinitely.
Had a negative view about population growth and thought there was a limit to population growth.
Classification option – Malthus or Boserup?

5. To examine the theories of futurists
Learning Objectives:
To examine the theories of futurists
To use evidence to decide who has got it right
850 million people suffer from
chronic hunger
Growing use of GM crops is slowly
Reducing hunger in some parts of
The world
New inventions such as better farm
Machinery have made growing
Food easier in the last 100 years.
Recent unrest in Egypt and Tunisia
Was caused by arguments over
The price of food
Desertification in Africa is making
Famine worse in some countries
Evidence for....? Can you think of anything else?
Rich nations are putting $billions
of into researching new ways of
Providing food and other resources
Increased technology means new
Discoveries and inventions are
Found every day

6. In support of Boserup there have in fact been many ways since Mathus’s time in which people have increased food production. These include:
Draining marshlands
Growing crops in greenhouses
Terracing on steep slopes
Sophisticated irrigation techniques
Using artificial fertilizers and pesticides
Intensification and extensification
Evidence for....? Can you think of anything else?
Fish farming
However, in support of Malthus can you think of an environmental impact or further implications for each one of these points?

7. Malthus vs Boserup: Who’s right?
Write a tweet telling the world what you’ve decided and why:
Only use 140 characters (letters) – spaces are included!
Give our point of view
Provide some evidence
Explain what this means for us

8. The Limits to Growth Model - which side does it take?
Population
Agricultural production
Natural resources
Industrial Production
Pollution
These five factors have been observed to grow at an exponential rate (2,4,8) until the resource base diminished forcing a slowdown in industrial growth.
However population and pollution will continue to rise for some time after the peak of industrialization, finally halted by a rise in the death rate due to lack of food, water and medicinal supplies.
This study suggests that if trends continue the limits to growth will be reached b 2070!!

9. Exam question (15 marks)
Discuss the opposing views of the neo-Malthusians and anti-Malthusians in terms of population and resource relationships.
Offer a balanced review to include a range of arguments
Support opinions and conclusions with evidence