Too Many People

Population growth is placing demands on the natural world that are overwhelming our efforts to achieve a sustainable future. In some countries the effects of growing scarcity — of food, water, energy and other resources — are already being acutely felt. Conflicts that dominate media headlines are typically caused by resource scarcity. Without population stabilization and eventual reduction, the great majority of people in the developing world will fail to achieve even a minimally adequate standard of living.

"Family planning could bring more benefits to more people at less cost than any other single technology now available to the human race." (UN, 1992)

Too Many Canadians?

In Canada many believe there is an abundance of resources and endless space for more and more people. But, numbers are growing by nearly 1% a year and non-renewable resources diminishing. In the densely populated southern tier where 90% live, urban congestion, environmental pollution and social challenges associated with crowded living conditions are a growing reality. Ecosystems face increased pressures as we devour our best farmlands and forests, pollute the waters we drink and the air we breathe, in the process hastening the pace of habitat destruction, biodiversity loss and climate change.

Too Large a Footprint

With one of the largest per capita ecological footprints in the world, Canadians can no longer ignore the negative impact of our population growth on the environment.

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