A recent UK government report on global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse highlights population growth as a major indirect driver, according to Amy Jankiewicz, CEO of Population Matters. The report warns that as the global population reaches 9.7 billion by 2050, food production pressures will intensify, making sustainable practices more challenging.
Jankiewicz notes that mass-scale agricultural expansion driven by population growth leads to deforestation, pesticide pollution, and ecosystem degradation, accelerating biodiversity loss. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change similarly identifies population growth and GDP per capita as primary drivers of carbon emissions.
She argues that addressing the taboo around population growth is essential, citing 121 million unintended pregnancies annually and one in ten women lacking empowerment to use contraception. Reducing unintended pregnancies can curb food demand, a key driver of biodiversity loss.
Additionally, transitioning to plant-based diets is crucial, as livestock farming occupies over three-quarters of agricultural land and produces twice the emissions of crop farming. Jankiewicz urges the UK government to act on its report's findings by addressing population growth and unsustainable consumption together.
