Can Earth's and Society's Systems
Meet the Need?
Summary of a Workshop
Maureen Mellody, Rapporteur; Board on Environmental Change and
Society; Committee on Population; Division of Behavioral and Social
Sciences and Education; Board on Life Sciences; Division on Earth and
Life Studies; National Research Councils of 10 Billion People?
The Earth’s population, currently 7.2 billion, is expected to rise at a rapid rate over the next 40 years. Current projections state that the Earth will need to support 9.6 billion people by the year 2050, a figure that climbs to nearly 11 billion by 2100 (United Nations, 2012). At the same time, most people envision a future Earth with a greater average standard of living than currently exists—and, as a result, greater consumption of planetary resources. How can this population growth be achieved in a manner that is sustainable from an economic, social, and environmental perspective?