Overpopulation is Not Really a Problem Essay -- Critical Thinking Essay

Throughout history there have been claims that the ball was growing too fast. In the 18th century, it was the Rev. Thomas Malthus with his book canvas on the Principle of Population. Rev. Malthus said that the growing European universe of discourse would promptly outstrip its available resources. History tells us that Rev. Malthus speculation was wrong. Following a path similar to that of Malthus, Paul Ehrlich presented us a book entitle The Population Bomb, in 1969. Ehrlichs book predicted that tens of millions of people would starve to death in the 1970s following an inescapable crash in the worlds food supply. It alike forecasted the elimination of all natural resources and said that the world was in risk of exposure of returning to a pre-industrial Dark Age. Again, the prophecy went unfulfilled. Continuing Concern Today, as we near the 21st century, overuniverse, as some may call it, slake seems to be a concern. There have been reports that, if the current rate of popul ation growth were maintained, the world willing be home to some 694 cardinal people by the year 2150, almost 125 times that of todays population (Bender, p. 65). On October 12th, 1999, the world was presented with the associated press headline that the world population foretell at the UN topped 6 billion. It is evident that our society is still interested about the increasing population. The intent of this paper is to prove that there is not, and will never be, according to long trends, a situation in which it is unworkable to provide everyone on earth a living standard at the subsistence level. Why didnt the old predictions come true? In 1969 Paul Ehrlich predicted that the world would outgrow its food supply. Ehrlich based his argument on Rev.... ...nology. If the historical long-term trends continue as they have, we will never be stripped of our power to provide for everyone. Appendix A Arithmetic vs. Geometric Rate of attach An arithmetic progression increases by consis tent numerical values. Example 1+2+3+4+5+6 A nonrepresentational progression increases by a constant percent Example 1+2+4+8+16+32 In this case, the count doubles each time (100% increase). Appendix B The Law of conservation of Matter states that material is neither created nor destroyed in any chemical substance or physical reaction. Works Cited Bender, David, Bruno Leone, Charles F. Hohm, Lori Justine Jones, Population Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1995 Lederer, Edith M., Associated Press Article, October 12, 1999 Carnell, Brian, http//www.overpopulation.com