The Facts

Our population has become so large that the Earth cannot cope

There are now more than 7,800,000,000 people on planet Earth.

It took until the early 1800s for the world population to reach one billion. Now we add a billion every 12-15 years.

Graph of human population growth since 1050

The Earth cannot provide for us all and the natural world is paying the price

Biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, deforestation, water and food shortage—these are all exacerbated by our huge and ever-increasing numbers. Our impact on the environment is a product of our consumption and our numbers. We must address both.

Human and animal population change 1970-2014

Population: the numbers

Global population is still rising by more than 80 million a year - and is most likely to continue rising for the rest of this century unless we take action. Find out where the growth is happening and why.

Resources & consumption

We have only one Earth. Today, the 7.8 billion people on it are using more of its resources than it can provide. For the sake of future generations, we must consume those resources sustainably.

Poverty & development

Poverty & development
10% of the world's population still live on less than $2 a day. High population growth traps individuals, communities and even entire countries in poverty. Achieving sustainable population levels, locally and globally, helps people achieve the dignity and standard of living we all deserve.

Climate change

Flooded street
Population and climate change are inextricably linked. Every additional person increases carbon emissions — the rich more than the poor — and increases the number of climate change victims – the poor more than the rich. Having smaller families and ending population growth are vital tools in the fight against climate change. 

Biodiversity

Butterfly
Biodiversity is essential to healthy ecosystems but the rate of biodiversity loss in now so high that scientists have declared a sixth mass extinction event driven by human activity - the Anthropocene.

Overpopulation in the UK

Crowd at King's Cross Station
The United Kingdom is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. With no end to population growth in sight, pressure on wildlife, housing, public services and resources will continue to grow.

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