Population

The world’s population reached seven billion people in late 2011 and we are on track to top nine billion people by mid century.

The Greens believe our fragile planet cannot cope with nine billion people and the consumption of natural resources that it would entail. 

We believe Australia must contribute to achieving a globally sustainable population. We recognise that our environmental impact is not determined by population numbers alone, but also by the way people live.

In 2011 the Greens successfully moved a Senate motion to debate Australia’s responsibility to take a lead role globally in working out how the finite limits of the planet can possibly accommodate a greater population with each person consuming more and more resources.