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Intractable limits to a sustainable human population.

Andrew R B Ferguson1

  • 1Optimum Population Trust, Urmston, Manchester. info@optimumpopulation.org

Medicine, Conflict, and Survival
|July 30, 2005
PubMed
Summary

A smaller human population is crucial due to excessive carbon emissions and ecological damage. Future energy uncertainties also support the need for a global population of approximately 2 billion people.

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Population and the demise of cheap energy.

Politics and the life sciences : the journal of the Association for Politics and the Life Sciencesยท2006
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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Population Studies
  • Climate Change

Background:

  • Human activities are causing significant carbon emissions, exceeding atmospheric stabilization limits.
  • Current global population levels are damaging vital ecological systems and driving species extinction.
  • Potential future scarcity of fossil fuel energy presents a compelling reason for population reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the environmental and resource-related drivers necessitating a smaller world population.
  • To determine a sustainable global population size based on ecological and energy considerations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of current carbon emission rates versus permissible levels for atmospheric stabilization.
  • Assessment of the ecological impact of the present human population.
  • Evaluation of future energy replacement challenges, particularly concerning fossil fuels.

Main Results:

  • Humanity emits 2.5 times the permissible carbon levels for atmospheric stabilization.
  • Current population size inflicts substantial damage on ecosystems and biodiversity.
  • Uncertainty regarding viable fossil fuel alternatives by mid-century adds urgency.

Conclusions:

  • A significant reduction in global human population is necessary to mitigate environmental damage and ensure long-term sustainability.
  • A sustainable world population target is estimated at approximately 2 billion people.
  • Addressing population size is critical for ecological health and future energy security.

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