Scientists: the population has exceeded the level that Earth can support.
The number of humanity has already exceeded the level that the planet can sustainably support at the current rate of resource consumption. This conclusion was reached by researchers who analyzed demographic data and resource usage trends over the past two centuries. The results of the study were published in the British Environmental Research Letters (ERL).
The study utilized the concept of 'carrying capacity' — an indicator that determines how many people can exist without depleting natural resources. According to the authors' estimates, under current conditions, the optimal population size is about 2.5 billion people. Meanwhile, the actual population of the Earth already exceeds 8 billion, indicating a significant gap between the planet's capabilities and the current load.
Scientists note that the rapid population growth has been made possible by the use of fossil fuels, which temporarily increased resource availability and allowed for a higher level of consumption. However, this effect is not sustainable: dependence on such energy sources simultaneously exacerbates environmental issues, including climate change and ecosystem degradation.
Models also show that in the coming decades, population growth will slow down but will not completely stop: the peak may reach about 11–12 billion people in the second half of the 21st century. According to the authors, without serious changes in the use of energy, water, land, and food, the pressure on natural systems will only increase, potentially leading to greater global instability.
