1. Malthusian Theory on Overpopulation FRQ

2. Theory was written by Malthus in 1798
Time Frame
Theory was written by Malthus in 1798
The Theory
Food growth is linear
The problem: At the time, the amount of arable land was finite
What would a farmer have to do to if they wanted to produce 5 units of wheat?
Plant one more acre
Amount
= 1 unit of wheat
= 1 acre
Time

3. Population growth is exponential
Food growth is linear
The Theory
Population growth is exponential
J-Curve
(Doubling Time)
Amount
Time

4. Population will eventually outpace food
Food growth is linear
The Theory
Population growth is exponential
The only way to produce lower birth rates is moral restraint. Otherwise disease, famine, or war will check population
Population will eventually outpace food
Amount
Time

5. Population has generally grown as predicted by Malthus
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Population has generally grown as predicted by Malthus
Lack of access to contraceptives and low levels of education for women
This growth is most pronounced in the Developing World WHY?

6. Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Population has been rising quicker than predicted by Malthus due to the diffusion of medical technology to developing world
Explosion of population
But fertility rates have not dropped fast enough in these countries
With lowered infant mortality and increasing life expectancy, population has exploded in the developing world

7. Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Food Supply has increased, but it has not kept up with population increase
Many countries are unable to adopt the agricultural innovations that have led to increased food production
Since subsistence agriculture is inefficient, overall food production is low in these countries
In many developing countries, a large percentage of people still practice subsistence agriculture

8. Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Food Supply has increased, but it has not kept up with population increase
Desertification and overuse of land is limiting the amount of arable land available

9. Farmland is being converted to urban use
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Farmland is being converted to urban use

10. Over Population is putting a strain on resources and the environment
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN be used to predict future population issues?
Over Population is putting a strain on resources and the environment

11. Population has generally not grown as predicted by Malthus
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN NOT be used to predict future population issues?
Population has generally not grown as predicted by Malthus
Due to global increases in development and increased access to contraceptives

12. Food Supply has grown faster than predicted by Malthus
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN NOT be used to predict future population issues?
Food Supply has grown faster than predicted by Malthus
With improvements in food production food can grow exponentially
Amount
One example the Green Revolution with genetically modified crops, multicropping which increased yields
Food production as predicted by Malthus
Time

13. Food Supply has grown faster than predicted by Malthus
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN NOT be used to predict future population issues?
Food Supply has grown faster than predicted by Malthus
Greater efficiencies such as mechanization and industrial agriculture
Time

14. This means more food is available to more people globally
Why do some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory CAN NOT be used to predict future population issues?
Our ability to preserve food and/or distribute food to areas of need is much greater than during Malthus’ time.
This means more food is available to more people globally

15. Your Task
What is a FRQ?
In 1798 Thomas Robert Malthus published An Essay on the Principle of Population in which he made many arguments about population growth.
Identify and explain TWO reasons why some geographers today believe Malthus’ theory can be used predict future population issues.
B. Identify and explain TWO reasons why some geographers
today believe Malthus’ theory cannot be used to predict
future population issues.