Study says halving world population could ease environmental strain

A study published in the journal Sustainable Development argues that reducing the global population by half over the next two centuries could ease environmental pressures and support the sustainable use of resources. Researchers said rapid population growth has intensified resource consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste output. The study noted that the world's population roughly doubled in a century to reach 8.3 billion, with current projections estimating it could climb to between 11.4 billion and 12.4 billion by the end of the century. Researchers identified the expansion of family planning services and women's freedom to choose how many children to have as the main paths to a more sustainable demographic trajectory. The paper examined the relationship between population, resource use and environmental impact, and put forward policy recommendations. No further details on the lead researchers or the institutions involved were immediately available.