Final answer:
The length of years of plenty and famine has varied historically, with examples like the Great Famine lasting roughly two years. Overconsumption and restraint in resource use are part of ongoing challenges reflected in the Malthusian trap concept. The history of population growth further intensifies the urgency of addressing the modern food crisis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The years of plenty and famine mentioned reflect historical periods where regions have experienced either an abundance of food or severe scarcity. These periods can vary in length, depending on environmental conditions, agricultural practices, and population pressures. For instance, the Great Famine of 1315–1317, prompted by the Little Ice Age in Europe, lasted for approximately two years but had lasting impacts on the population and socio-political structures.
Concerning human behavior and the use of resources, it is challenging to determine how many generations could resist exploiting readily available global resources. The capacity to refrain from consuming available resources ties in with discussions surrounding the Malthusian trap, where population growth tends to exceed food supplies, leading to periods of want. Historically, there have been numerous examples where societies could not sustain prolonged periods of restraint, often leading to exploitation of resources until scarcity ensues.
Population dynamics, such as those explained by the growth from 5 million humans when farming was introduced to over 7 billion today, illustrate the increasing pressure on food resources. It underscores the urgency to address the impending food crisis foretold by contemporary population and environmental projections. As populations have grown, so have the demands on the environment and the need for food, prompting concerns about whether current levels of consumption are sustainable for future generations.