Critically evaluate the two following contradictory statements:

1) Economic growth results from technological change, which results from creative people responding to incentives. A larger population has more creative people, so it brings faster technological advance. So population growth brings faster growth of real GDP per person.

2) Economic growth can be sustained only if we conserve natural resources. A larger population places strain on natural resources, so population growth brings slower growth of real GDP per person.

Which statement is "correct"? Why?