Published 15.11.2022

On November 15, 2022, a historic milestone was reached: the world’s population has now reached 8 billion people. While the UN presents this as a celebration of human progress, we at the Environmental Protection Association see little reason for jubilation. Overconsumption and overpopulation are the main causes of most of the climate and environmental problems we face. According to the UN Population Fund, the world’s population has doubled since 1974 and quadrupled since 1927. Meanwhile, the number of wild vertebrates has decreased by 63%. This contrast shows how human growth is happening at the expense of nature.

In 2050, there will likely be 9.7 billion people on Earth. The planet is already showing signs of struggling to support us all, with humanity continually pushing the consumption carousel higher, and the world’s nature and wild species are paying the price. Loss of biodiversity, climate change, pollution, deforestation, food scarcity, and lack of clean water – all these problems are exacerbated by our enormous and ever-increasing numbers. Our impact on the environment is a product of both our consumption and our numbers. We must address both.

“8 billion strong, 8 billion opportunities, 8 billion innovators.” This is the message that has come from the UN in recent weeks as we approach 8 billion people on the planet. But the reality behind the positivity is, unfortunately, a reality of limited opportunities and wasted potential for hundreds of millions. There is also 8 billion more, more, more, and little indicates that it is in human nature to limit ourselves sufficiently. 8 billion is an important milestone for humanity, says the head of the UN Population Fund, Natalia Kanem, who further celebrates that fewer and fewer children die during or shortly after birth and that the average life expectancy worldwide is increasing. She continues by saying she realizes that perhaps not everyone is celebrating this milestone. Some are concerned that the world is overpopulated, but it is not the number of people that gives reason for concern, she says. Far from everyone shares her view. Sir David Attenborough puts it this way:

“All our environmental problems become easier to solve with fewer people, and harder – and ultimately impossible – to solve with ever more people.”

The gross inequalities that exist between nations and sometimes even within nations are an atrocity that must be addressed. Many of us consume far more of the Earth's resources and contribute far more to environmental problems such as climate change than billions of poorer people in the world.

In a world where hundreds of millions have too little to eat and nearly two billion are overweight, the distribution of resources is clearly a serious injustice. But redistribution without slowing down and eventually halting population growth will not lead to sustainability. The Earth simply cannot provide enough resources to make it work.

We are not pessimistic by nature, but we cannot say we like the “hypocritical bombastic” rhetoric around the 8 billion milestone. As we have acted so far, we have already stolen the opportunities from, or destroyed, billions of human lives, and Mother Earth is in terrible condition as a result of the “modern” world’s standard of living and constant expectations of growth. We fear that this rhetoric encourages pro-natalist governments to increase their efforts to turn young girls and women into “baby machines”. (Pro-natal – the policy or practice of encouraging childbirth, especially government support for higher birth rates. Norway is one such state in some areas. Norway now has the highest fertility rate in Europe.)

We are realistic when we claim that at least one billion people without “future prospects” should be subtracted from the imagined “8 billion opportunities”. Of course, the UN further states that we can only realize these opportunities “if we all act responsibly and take into account the vital interests of both people and the planet.” Well, we believe this is precisely where there is reason for concern: We have not done so far and we are not doing so now! So both people and the planet are already eerily burdened.

The truth is that even if we were to manage what the UN suggests, it is already too late for billions of people and many other species on the planet. Our patterns of action have been like a chronic disease/pandemic over several decades, which has especially affected low- and middle-income countries where in fact several billions live!

One of the most effective measures we can take to reduce our collective environmental impact is to choose smaller family sizes and to support and empower those who cannot freely make that choice, so they have the opportunity to choose.

But also:

• We must challenge the conventional “knowledge” that more things, more consumer activity, and more economic growth are good for us.
• We urge those of us who already have enough to consume/consume in ways that give our planet and our descendants a chance.
• We must fight against the social, economic, and market pressures that encourage us all to buy more than the planet can afford.

We do not claim to have all the answers on how the problem of overpopulation can or should be solved. However, we are very convinced that we, as a global community, must dare to start the debate so that different nations and continents can begin to make the right choices that will, in the long term, promote a slightly better world, with a slightly better distribution of space and resources for our descendants. The population issue will certainly not go away on its own

Now is the time for the debate, for the sake of humanity, nature, the climate, and the planet!

It is not too late to act, but it requires bold measures. We at the Environmental Protection Association believe the following actions are crucial to creating a sustainable future:

1. Strengthen women’s and girls’ rights
   When women are given the opportunity to make choices about their lives, birth rates drop dramatically. This includes access to education, economic independence, and sexual and reproductive health services.
2. Remove barriers to contraception
   More than 200 million women who wish to avoid pregnancy have no access to modern contraception. Investing in family planning and combating social and religious barriers can make a huge difference.
3. Ensure education for all
   Education, especially for girls, is key to smaller families and better future prospects. Educated women have fewer children and contribute to sustainable communities.
4. Work for global justice
   Poverty drives population growth. International aid, fair trade, and a more just distribution of resources are necessary to reduce both poverty and birth rates.
5. Make conscious choices in rich countries
   In wealthy countries, we have an disproportionate environmental impact. Choices like smaller families and reduced consumption can help ensure the future of the planet.