People and Environment: What is the Relationship between Exploitation of Natural Resources and Population Growth in the South?

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Abstract
Sara J. Scherr, ‘People and Environment: What is the Relationship between Exploitation of Natural Resources and Population Growth in the South?’, Forum for Development Studies, 1997:1, pp. 33–58. While the potential for global agricultural production is far greater now than in Malthus' time, the environmental impacts of farming systems raise concerns about the long-term sustainability. The challenges vary greatly in intensive irrigated systems, intensifying rainfed systems in high potential and environmentally fragile areas and the agricultural frontier. Theories of induced innovation suggest that microeconomic changes associated with population growth may themselves encourage technological and institutional innovations in natural resource management. Empirical evidence from tropical hillsides confirms these potentials. However, the pace of innovation is too slow relative to population and market growth. Public policies to promote land-improving technologies, foster social institutions needed for good resource management, and enhance resource values through public investments and price policies are essential to accelerate the process and prevent ecosystem degradation and impoverishment as populations increase.

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