Summary of a Workshop
The Earth’s population, currently 7.2 billion, is expected to rise at a rapid rate over the next 40 years. Current projections state that the Earth will need to support 9.6 billion people by the year 2050, a figure that climbs to nearly 11 billion by 2100 (United Nations, 2012). At the same time, most people envision a future Earth with a greater average standard of living than currently exists—and, as a result, greater consumption of planetary resources. How can this population growth be achieved in a manner that is sustainable from and economic, social, and environmental perspective?