Overpopulation: Resource Depletion and Human Innovation

Recognise the impact of overpopulation on natural resources

Studies show that the world population is growing at a steady rate, increasing by tens of millions every year. With unsustainable growth in the human population, scarce resources could be consumed, endangered flora and fauna may go extinct, and carbon emissions could spiral out of control.

On this four-week course from the Adam Smith Centre, you’ll explore the depletion of resources in relation to overpopulation. You’ll study various perspectives on resource management and the importance of human innovation in cultivating a sustainable future.

Explore Malthusian theory and Thomas Malthus’s influence on environmentalism

Thomas Malthus was an English economist best known for Malthusian theory – an economic pessimist perspective on resource management and population growth.

On this course, you’ll study Malthusian theory in-depth and analyse its key points to understand the impact Malthus had on environmental discourse.

Discover Julian Simon’s work and other fascinating environmental perspectives

Another notable contributor to economic and environmental discourse is Julian Simon.

You’ll tackle Simon’s theories of environmental optimism to understand the role that human innovation can play in sustainability. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge to compare and contrast Malthusian and Simonian approaches in the context of today’s world.

Learn how to measure and manage resource usage

An essential facet of environmental management is the understanding of how resources are being used and depleted.

With the guidance of the experts at the Adam Smith Centre, you’ll learn to use Julian Simon’s Simon Abundance Index and a unique framework jointly developed by Dr. Marian Tupy and Dr. Gale Pooley, which measure the different degrees of resource abundance.

This course is designed for professionals in sustainability and public policy, or those involved in governance.

It will also be of interest for young adult learners in fields of study such as environmentalism, economics, business or political science.

• Malthusian perspectives
• Course introduction
• The Malthusian trap
• What changed?
• Modern Malthusians
• End of Week 1
• Why Julian Simon?
• Environmental optimism
• Economics, not physics
• End of Week 2
• Overpopulation: A Simonian perspective
• Population bomb?
• More people = More innovation
• Beware population control measures
• End of Week 3
• Resource depletion: A Simonian perspective
• Markets & innovation
• Resource abundance
• End of Week 4