Search

This theory, though highly debated upon for over centuries already, remains one of the most popular trains of thought among economists. In fact, the growth rate of world population has accelerated over the last century at a very significant rate. It took the world population millions of years to reach the first billion, then 123 years to get to the second, followed by 33 years to the third, 14 years to the fourth, and 13 years to the fifth billion, with the promise of a sixth billion to come in another 11 years.

As populations grow, demands on resources naturally increase. In view of this, many social scientists argue that there are major fluctuations in the ability of the environment to satisfy our needs. Take for example the consumption of water. At one point or the other, water resources will dry up if not properly used. After all, water is not considered as a renewable resource. The same is true then, with food.

While globalization is pursuing market freedom and political interdependence, a substantial number of people who are starving exist. Indeed, massive hunger causes great misery in many parts of the world. What makes this prevalent hunger even more appalling is the fact that the world has learned to put up with it as an essential part of the modern world.

Because of this social dilemma, the question now is: Is the world food output falling behind in its race against world population? Since Malthus time, the world population has grown nearly six times. It is, therefore, remarkable that in spite the many economic and environmental problems -- the global production of food has continued to grow.