: Environment

News from Population Matters.

  • Green Growth: Sustainable Future or Myth? – Part Two

    We continue our series exploring alternative economic models. Here, in the second of three parts, we examine green growth, which seeks to achieve continued economic growth that is more environmentally sustainable.

  • Green Growth

    Green Growth: Sustainable Future or Myth? – Part One

    Green Growth asserts that continued economic growth can be compatible with staying in the ecological limits of our planet, with measures to decouple GDP growth from environmental impacts. It’s become popular amongst policymakers, but climate scientists are sceptical that green growth can ever truly be green.

  • Growth Economy

    Agrowth: The Agnostic Approach – Part Two

    Unlike traditional growth models, agrowth emphasises that growth is neither inherently good nor bad. Its value depends on societal and environmental contexts. Read part two of our look at this lesser known model.

  • Tree

    Agrowth: The Agnostic Approach – Part One

    We continue our series with this lesser-known economic model that avoids both growth and degrowth. Agrowth advocates for indifference toward traditional growth metrics and prioritises broader social goals like environmental sustainability and social welfare. 

  • Indigenous people peeling maize while overlooking Quito from El Panecillo, Ecuador

    Buen Vivir: The ‘Good Life’ for People and Planet – Part two

    We continue our series exploring alternative economics models. Here, in the second of two parts, we look at Buen Vivir. Buen Vivir, an alternative development model gaining popularity in South America.

  • Photo by Andres Medina on Unsplash

    Buen Vivir: The ‘Good Life’ for People and Planet – Part One

    Buen Vivir is an alternative development model gaining popularity in South America. Originating from indigenous cultures, it emphasises harmony with nature as key to the wellbeing of the community. Can Buen Vivir operate in practice? And how does population growth factor into this eco-centric approach?  

  • Canary Wharf from Greenwich, London

    Endless economic growth unsustainable for planet and people

    As part of an upcoming project exploring alternative economic models, this article looks at how the current pursuit of endless economic growth drives environmental degradation and deepens social inequality. The traditional growth mindset prevails among our political classes, but it is not working for planet or people.

  • Mekong Delta Tour, Vietnam

    Running out of room: Humans encroaching on wildlife habitats

    Population growth means that humans will push further into wildlife habitats across more than 50% of land by 2070, causing biodiversity loss, increased human-wildlife conflict, and worsening outcomes for local communities. We then examine the positive solutions available such as Population Health Environment.

  • Parched Earth

    Parched Earth: How Population Growth Fuels Water Challenges

    World Water Week’s theme, Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future, speaks to the collective effort required to achieve global water goals. Our numbers and the impact we have on our environment must be part of the conversation.

  • The duel threats to endangered elephants

    This World Elephant Day, we revisit the elephant chapter of our Vanishing Icons report. It explores the main reasons African elephants are endangered: poaching and habitat fragmentation, and how population growth contributes to both.