Chapter 34

Does the concept of carrying capacity apply to human beings? Does the planet as a whole have a human carrying capacity, or do human beings have an infinite capacity to improve life through such means as obtaining greater crop yields and becoming more energy efficient?

Is human disease a form of environmental resistance?

Some scientists argue that no single factor poses a greater threat to the environment than the continued growth of the human population, while others believe the use of resources per person is a more critical factor. What arguments can you think of for or against either proposition?