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