‘Current levels of world population growth heading towards a total of 8 billion, along with the impacts of climate change, justify a Malthusian viewpoint.’

To what extent do you agree with this statement?

AO1 – Knowledge and understanding of perspectives on population growth and its implications. Knowledge and understanding of global population futures.

AO2 – Application of knowledge and understanding to assess the extent to which Malthus’s perspective on population growth is applicable to alternative futures of population growth.

Notes for answers

The question requires links between several aspects of the Population and the Environment section of the specification, including perspectives on population growth, population growth dynamics, global population futures. It is a very-open ended question with a variety of routes to success.

AO1

Knowledge and understanding of different perspectives on population growth – Malthusian, neo-Malthusian and alternatives such as those suggested by Boserup and Simon.
Knowledge and understanding of positive and negative feedback loops associated with population growth.
The concept of carrying capacity and ecological footprints and their implications.
An understanding of the concept of overpopulation and the balance between population and resources.
Knowledge and understanding of key population parameters such as population density, natural change, migration. Global patterns of population change.
Health impacts of global environment change relating to climate change eg thermal stress, increasing and changing distribution of vector borne diseases.
Knowledge and understanding of the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and food security.
Understanding of current strategies to increase food security.
Knowledge and understanding of future prospects for global population. Alternative futures

AO2

Evaluation of evidence that supports Malthusian perspectives on population. For example, food insecurity.
Evidence supporting Malthus suggests there are conflicts due to lack of resources and population pressures. The Congo war in the early 21st century caused over 3 million deaths.
Analysis of arguments in favour of Boserup / Simon perspectives on population growth. For example, there is 17% more food available per person than there was in 1990. This happens due to technological advancements.
Positive feedback loops can be used to support Malthusian arguments – population pressure causes farming to take place on marginal lands, leading to increase in desertification and reducing agricultural productivity, causing subsequent famines.
Evaluation of the link between climate change and food insecurity. Unpredictable rainfall and increased temperatures in some areas are increasing the number of famine events. The number of people needing food assistance has increased by 50% in the past two years.
The link between climate change and conflict. Rising food prices due to poor harvests and competition over water supplies have created conflicts. Conflict also exacerbates the famine, disrupting the movement of food.
Analysis of the impact of climate change on health and disease. Supports a Malthusian perspective as many diseases such as Malaria may increase in number and distribution. The changing map of temperature and moisture which may lead to latitudinal and altitudinal shifts in the distribution of certain vectors, potentially exposing local populations to new diseases.
Analysis of alternative population futures for population growth. It is difficult to accurately predict population growth – different agencies have different models of growth. This makes it difficult to implement strategies to mitigate against the impacts of overpopulation.
Evaluation of the importance of technological advancements in improving population and resource scenarios. For example, use of strategies to increase food supplies have already improved global food harvests. However, there are environmental costs.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of strategies to mitigate against the impacts of climate change may be considered as an alternative to Malthusian perspectives.
Critical appraisal of Malthus’s viewpoints in terms of future population growth. For example, whilst there is certainly evidence to support the viewpoint in Sub-Saharan Africa, much of the globe is seeing falling population growth and innovation is improving our ability to cope with climate change.
Any conclusion is valid as long as it is supported by the preceding content.

Credit any other valid approach.

Level 4 Description (16–20 marks)

Detailed evaluative conclusion that is rational and firmly based on knowledge and understanding which is applied to the context of the question (AO2).
Detailed, coherent and relevant analysis and evaluation in the application of knowledge and understanding throughout (AO2).
Full evidence of links between knowledge and understanding to the application of knowledge and understanding in different contexts (AO2).
Detailed, highly relevant and appropriate knowledge and understanding of place(s) and environments used throughout (AO1).
Full and accurate knowledge and understanding of key concepts and processes throughout (AO1).
Detailed awareness of scale and temporal change which is well integrated where appropriate (AO1).

Population Ecology (AQA A Level Geography)

Topic Questions