The Future of Life, The Bottleneck
Terms and Concepts: Consider how Wilson contrasts the previous 20th century with the new 21st century in terms of our attitudes toward the environment. Understand what the paradox is between the tremendous advances in science and technology and the uses we have made of this knowledge in our treatment of the environment. Understand why this combination of technology and population growth has resulted in a “bottleneck” in the new “Century of the Environment.” Be able to compare the attitudes of the “typical” economist and environmentalist toward this bottleneck problem. What is the major motivation behind each of their philosophies? Appreciate the economic and social arguments that an economist would use to support his/her optimistic view of the future. Understand what Malthus predicted would happen to the world population growth and why economist point to this as flawed theory. Compare this economic world view with that of the environmentalist. What does this group feel should be factored into the cost of economic growth and how? Compare the GNP as a measure of our economic progress with the proposed GPI. Be able to describe the typical pattern of population growth. What is meant by exponential growth and what are the implications to the environment if this type of growth continues? Be able to discuss the evidence that the growth rates of human population are decreasing? Identify the three primary factors influencing this decline. Be able to discuss in detail how these three factors are interrelated with one another. Understand why in poor nations with high rates of population growth most of the citizens are young any the social and economic implications of this age distribution. Be able to discuss why China is a good example of a country struggling with the combined effects of large population growth and the shift from an agricultural to industrial economy. Understand how water and soil quality are major factors influencing this transition.
- First Draft Due: 30 October.
- Comments Due: 4 November.
- Final Draft Due: 6 November.
Essay: What does the author mean by the "bottleneck" facing us? Explain how this problem is a result of conflict between the advances in science and technology and our increasing demands to use that science to expand our economic wealth. Wilson presents arguments from two perspectives, the economist and the environmentalists. Compare these two points of view, discussing where they differ and what they have in common. Be sure that you use specific and relevant examples from the text.
Thomas Malthus Picture from the University of California Museum of Paleontology.
