Malthusian catastrophe

The Malthusian catastrophe refers to a situation where a population exceeds its resources, leading to widespread famine and suffering. Named after economist Thomas Malthus, who argued that while population grows exponentially, food production only increases arithmetically, he suggested that if population growth continues unchecked, it would outstrip available resources. This imbalance could result in crises such as starvation, disease, and conflict, ultimately reducing the population to sustainable levels. While modern technology has mitigated some of these concerns, the core idea remains relevant in discussions about sustainability and resource management.