Attenborough calls for lower population
Sir David has worked on programmes including Planet Earth
One of the world's leading naturalists has called on environmental organisations to highlight "loud and clear" the need for global population control.
Sir David Attenborough, who is best known for making wildlife programmes including Planet Earth and The Blue Planet, has become a patron of the Optimum Population Trust (OPT).
The organisation is a leading thinktank which has concerns over the impact that massive population growth is having on the planet and claims the number of people on earth could stand at 9.1 billion by 2050.
It also argues that human demand for resources is already higher than the earth can provide, which means famine and poverty is set to increase annually.
Discussing his new role with the OPT, Sir David claimed that he has seen wildlife across the world under pressure from rising numbers of humans.
"I've never seen a problem that wouldn't be easier to solve with fewer people, or harder, and ultimately impossible, with more," he explained.
"That's why I support the OPT, and I wish the environmental non-governmental organisations would follow their lead, and spell out this central problem loud and clear."
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Comments
The biggest issue mankind has ever had to face and the world ignores it . They are more concerned with the possibility of an astronoid colliding with our planet which nothing can be done about but when something can be done the human race plunges itself into denial.
David, DO SOMETHING! Get your message into every home that has an interest in the future of our very existance.
Colin
I am so grateful that such a respected figure as Sir David Attenborough, has stepped up to the mark to bring this problem to the fore. It is, without doubt the most important issue ever faced by the world.
Just look at all the problems caused around the globe, deforestation, loss of animal habitat and climate changes. The vast majority are caused because of over population.
Over population is a taboo subject, but when it is mentioned at all, it generally refers to third world countries only. We could help solve that, but we need to re-focus our own blind and selfish view onto our own country and population. Where are we heading? it has to rapidly slow down.
Politicians won't dare risk putting the subject on the agenda, in fact they encourage us to increase the population further by offering tax incentives and other help. So who is left?
I am child-free only child and am very depressed by the overwheening effects of too many people. Governments have always encouraged breeding by tax incentives and subsidies as they see kids as future consumers (so much for Ecology!) whilst we 'loners' are taxed heavily and never get any aknowledgement for helping to save the Planet. It is criminal how society has always praised folk with lots of kids with 'congratulations' and parties and loads of rubbishy toys. Kids are noisy, smelly and greedy wasters of resources and if one doesn't love them, one is considered a social pariah. How perverse can humans get! How I suffer from the constant attention seeking,screaming and whining of other peoples kids - they get everywhere nowadays and make life unbearable.We dont want any more thank you.