Thomas Malthus Agree or Disagree?

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

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