Question

Read the following scenario and answer the question(s) below.

Population growth is at the root of many serious environmental problems. From the ancient Babylonians thousands of years ago, to Thomas Malthus two centuries ago, to present day neo-Malthusians, humans seem to possess an awareness of Earth's limitations in the face of growing populations. Today, our ability to accurately quantify, monitor, and control population growth is very sophisticated. We can measure growth and make predictions about world growth with mathematical and computer models. Can we prevent disaster?


Mesopotamia, Mayan, Easter Island, and 1930s U.S. midwest prairie societies all experienced "crashes" because they ________.

Answer 1

Ancient and historical societies such as Mesopotamia, Mayan, Easter Island, and the U.S. Midwest prairie collapsed due to unsustainable population growth that exceeded their environmental carrying capacity, illustrating the potential consequences of ignoring the balance between population and resources.

Step-by-step explanation:

The societies of Mesopotamia, Mayan, Easter Island, and 1930s U.S. Midwest prairie all experienced 'crashes' because they overextended the environmental carrying capacity of their region by not sustainably managing the balance between population growth and resource consumption.

The Malthusian catastrophe suggests that population growth tends to outpace agricultural production, leading to famine, disease, and conflict. Historically, some human societies failed to recognize the limits of growth and did not adapt to resource constraints, resulting in societal collapses. These historical examples can inform our current understanding of sustainable development and the importance of maintaining a balance between population size and the environment's ability to provide for that population.

While modern technological advancements in food production, medicine, and family planning have postponed the dire predictions of Malthus and his successors, these are not permanent solutions. The Neo-Malthusians contend that unless sustainable practices are widely adopted and a balance between population and resource use is achieved, societies may still be susceptible to serious environmental crises.