In IB geography and environmental studies, understanding how population growth impacts resource use is key. This blog unpacks two classic views: Malthus’s cautionary theory and Boserup’s optimistic perspective.

What is the Malthusian View on Population and Resources?

Thomas Malthus argued that human population grows faster than resources can keep up. He said:

• Population grows geometrically (1, 2, 4, 8…), doubling over time.
• Resources increase only arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4…), much slower.
• This mismatch means population eventually outstrips food supply.
• Result: famine, disease, and “checks” reduce the population back.

Simply put, Malthus believed there is a natural carrying capacity for humans, based on resource limits. Once population exceeds this, disaster follows.

How Does Boserup Offer a More Optimistic View?

Ester Boserup believed humans are inventive and can overcome resource limits by changing agriculture and technology. Key ideas include:

• New technology and machinery increase food production efficiency
• Innovations like high-yield crop varieties improve yields
• Population growth stimulates agricultural intensification and land reform
• Humans develop alternative food sources like cultured meat or plant-based diets

Boserup’s model shows carrying capacity is flexible and can grow with human ingenuity.

Mechanization & Substitution Supporting Boserup’s Optimism

Mechanization raises agricultural productivity through machines.

Substitution also plays a key role: switching to renewable energy and using alternative crop varieties reduce resource strain.

These technologies provide real productivity gains that align with Boserup’s view that people innovate to meet rising food demand.

P.S The exam content in these posts is stripped down to the bare minimum for quick revision. Full notes are based directly on past IB exam questions, with detailed case studies and at least three exam-ready points per topic—available [here].

Carrying Capacity: Definition, Change & Implications

In IB Geography, carrying capacity refers to the maximum population that an environment can support at a given standard of living. Technology raises carrying capacity. The Green Revolution boosted cereal yields in Asia by over 200% between 1961‑2005. But unsustainable practices cut capacity: overgrazing, deforestation, pollution lower land productivity. Countries also “borrow” carrying capacity via imports and trade, shifting environmental costs elsewhere.

Read here for more on Ecological Footprint
See rest of Unit 3 for more on resource security