© © ESA / T. Reiter / WWF

7 billion expectations...

...One planet

The 2012 edition of the LPR highlights the tremendous pressure that humanity is putting on our planet. We are using 50 per cent more resources than the Earth can provide. By 2030, even two planets will not be enough.

Our natural capital is declining and our Ecological Footprint is increasing. Urgent action is needed to ensure that we can live in harmony with nature.

Human population dynamics are a major driving force behind environmental degradation. One aspect of this is the overall size of the global population, which has more than doubled since 1950 - to 7 billion in 2011 and is forecast to reach just over 9.3 billion people by 2050.

Rising consumption trends in high-income groups around the world and in BRIICS countries, combined with growing population numbers, provide warning signs of the potential for even larger footprints in the future.

We can create more just and equitable societies - providing food, water and energy for all - through the sustainable management of the Earth’s natural capital.

       

 

We live in a world of more, yet we could live in a world of enough - a world where there's enough food, water and energy for everyone.



There is only one planet

Margaret's Story

For many people living in the industrialized and urban regions, “nature” is a place to visit. Food comes from shops, and water from the tap. But for a large part of the planet’s population, the connection to nature and its services is more direct. The livelihood opportunities of Margaret Wanjiru Mundia, a farmer in central Kenya, depend directly on the natural environment surrounding her. But her needs are the same as those of city dwellers. And all of these needs find their origin in what nature provides. Can understanding Margaret’s challenges and hopes help us better understand the risks and opportunities facing our planet?