Addressing Population Challenge Is Not Impossible

Societies can avoid a world population of 10.8 billion and related disasters – with education, contraception and emphasis on sustainability.

The world confronts unsustainable population growth. Some researchers suggest that a population based on two people per arable hectare is sustainable, and with 1.6 million arable hectares, the planet can support 3.2 billion people, less than half the current population. The planet’s population has doubled in 50 years and could approach 11 billion by the end of the century. “But human population size and growth are not intractable problems,” explains Joe Bish, director of advocacy issues with the Population Media Center. “The factors driving ongoing population increases are understood and amendable. They come from a combination of population momentum, notions of high-desired fertility around the globe, low status of women and girls and bias against contraception.” Some of the poorest countries in the world post high fertility rates, more than seven children per man, while birthrates have declined in wealthy nations, many to below replacement level. Bish underscores long-term solutions including education, reliance on contraception and family-planning programs, and emphasis on opportunities for individuals.

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