Global Population in 2050 – analysis and response
In 2050, the numbers of people on the planet and the way they live will be of crucial importance in shaping an ecologically and socially sustainable future.
Presenter
Dr Deb Foskey – I completed my PhD on the topic of global population issues and debates in 2003 and find the topic just as interesting in 2009.
Workshop outline
Is population the elephant in the room? Debates about population usually focus on the numbers, and nine billion in 2050 sounds more than our world can bear. Knowing the numbers gives us the impetus to consider what needs to be done to allow nine billion people to live decent lives without trashing the planet. In this paper I will present some facts and stats and current preoccupations of policy makers about national and global population trends. I am looking forward to the suggestions people in the workshop will make for the policies and actions needed to tip the relationship between people and the Earth towards one that is fair for people and nature.
Petroni, Suzanne 2009: An Ethical approach to Population and Climate Change, ECSP Report, Issue 13, 2008-2009. This and a number of other articles about the security implications of population trends can be read at: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?topic_id=1413&fuseaction=topics.publications&group_id=495595
Satterthwaite, David 2009: The implications of population growth and urbanization for climate change, http://eau.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/21/2/545
