IB HL GEOGRAPHY
Clare Cole
Evaluate the ecological footprint as a measure of the relationship between population size and resource consumption. Identify international variations in its size. Discuss the two opposing views (neo-Malthusian and anti-Malthusian) of the relationship between population size and resource consumption.
Patterns in Resource Consumption Terminology
Click on image for link to basic terminology relating to resource consumption and population size, and how the human race's ecological footprint (how many resources we are using vs. how much the Earth can actually supply sustainably) is taking its toll on the planet.
Resource Consumption: Videos
These videos examine the degree to which ecological footprints are a good measure of the relationship between population size and resource consumption, and the limitations that it might have.
Both of these videos do a good job of explaining the ecological footprint using illustration. The one on the right, made by Sustainablity Illustrated, is particularly successful in defining the term ecological footprint, and how we are having a impact on the planet. Currently, we are using 1.5 Earths to sustain our demands. This method is not only damaging to the planet and all life on it, it is not sustainable whatsoever. If we continue to run the world dry for resources, then in the future, there won't be any more resources to overconsume. Malthusianism focuses on us changing our ways, and creating population management strategies, and to fix our overconsumption problem, before it is too late, and our future generations are left with an empty Earth.
Resource Consumption: Article
This article, like the previous videos, examines the degree to which ecological footprints are a good measure of the relationship between population size and resource consumption, and the limitations that it might have. Click on the image below to be linked to the article.
"Humanity must learn to live within the budget of nature, not just for our own welfare and resiliance but also for the well-being of countless other species on our planet."
- Mathis Wackernagel, President and Co-founder of Global Footprint Network
Living Planet Report & Notes
This report created by the WWF outlines the Living Planet Index (LPI) and how it documents the world's ecological footprint, per capita and by region. It also examines the Earth's biocapacity, and the means by which we are exploiting those resources. Click on the image below to be linked to the report, and the button below that to be linked to my notes on the report.
Neo-Malthusian & Anti-Malthusian Theories
These two videos explain the concepts of Neo-Malthusian and Anti-Malthusian theories. I particularly recommend the Crash Course video on the right, as it presents the concept in a simple and interesting way (much more intersting than the other video). It also talks about why, even though Thomas Malthus's theory was "incorrect", it is still so significant.
Carrying Capacity
The document linked below is notes on the meaning of the term carrying capacity (the maximum number of people that may live in or visit a destination at the same time, without causing destruction of the physical, economic, socio-cultural environment and an unacceptable decrease in the quality of the living environment), and the different types of carrying capacity.
