Population , Natural Resources and Environment

Population-environment studies have implicitly permeated demography but only until the mid-20 century has the debate been rekindled and research expanded. This article reviews the origins and history of the population-environment debate and attempts to provide insight into the most recent approaches and methodology. Beginning with the most traditional relationships established between demographic and environmental dynamics, some of the most relevant relations and findings are presented and discussed. This state-of-the-art revision is organized by some dimensions of these dynamics, and is by no means exhaustive. The relationships between population and food availability, land use, water resources, energy and climate change are some of the most visible and studied within this emerging field of study. Some final methodological remarks and suggestions for future research are outlined.