The Malthusian theory, created in the 18th century by Thomas Malthus, reported that population growth would always be greater than population growth. human capacity to produce food, that is, ungoverned population growth would grow in geometric progression and production of food would grow in arithmetic progression, that is, the amount of food produced in the world would not be enough for the population.
This theory is quite questioned due to the technological capacity that human beings have acquired in the production of food, being able to produce the necessary amount for consumption.
Currently, this theory has taken other directions and new thinkers have emerged on population theory and its relationship with Malthusian theory. Ecomalthusians emerged in the late 20th century with the theory that exaggerated population growth put pressure on natural resources, and could pose risks for the near future due to the impacts environmental issues.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
This theory, reformulated in the environmental issue, defends sustainable development with the least possible environmental impact. This thought tries to make people aware that natural resources are exhaustible, that is, they will run out one day, and that the population does not do enough to preserve them.
In addition, these natural resources may not meet human needs in the future, which may cause problems for society.
Also included in this theory is the problem of excessive consumption in countries and the relationship of this consumption in developed places, in addition to the exaggerated the deforestation process that has been taking place in areas of extensive forests in developing countries and the high birth rate of more poor.
by Suelen Alonso
Master in Geography
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
ALONSO, Suelen. "Ecomalthusians"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/ecomalthusianos.htm. Accessed on June 29, 2021.
