11 November 2022, immediate use
Today, our human population hits 8 billion – another billion added in under 12 years, a doubling of our numbers over the past half-century.
Over the same period of time, global wildlife populations have plummeted by 69% since 1970.
As well as biodiversity loss, human population growth is a critical driver of climate change, as affirmed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: “Globally, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita and population growth remained the strongest drivers of CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the last decade.”
More of us are demanding more of our planet than it can sustainably provide. Overall we’re using 1.8 planet’s worth of natural resources each year – only possible through asset-stripping and because some of us take more than our fair share.
Reducing and rebalancing excessive consumption is essential, but so too is slowing population growth. Empowering women everywhere to choose smaller families, combined with universal education for girls brings a double-divided of enhancing individual life-opportunities and cutting more carbon dioxide than from all onshore and offshore windpower.
Robin Maynard, Director, Population Matters
For more information visit populationmatters.org
ENDS
Contact:
Alistair Currie, Head of Campaigns and Communications
T: +44 (0)208 123 9170
E: alistair.currie@populationmatters.org
Stakeholders quoted in this release may also be available for interview.
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