Eight billion people and counting, Planet Earth reaches a milestone. What are the challenges of a growing population and the impact on sustainability? 

In just twelve years, the global population increased from seven billion to eight billion people.  

The United Nations says people are living longer thanks to improvements in public health and medicine.  But the growth also comes from high fertility rates in the world’s poorest countries.  The sheer number of people alone isn’t an issue but overconsumption of resources by the world’s wealthiest is hurting the planet.  

Joining the discussion:

• John Wilmoth is the Director of the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs at the United Nations. 
• Xi Chen is an Associate Professor of Health Policy and Economics at Yale University.
• Kathleen Mogelgaard is the President and CEO of the Population Institute. 
• Chidanand Rajghatta is the Foreign Editor and U.S. Bureau Chief at the Times of India newspaper.

On Tuesday, the 🌍’s population reached 8 billion people. This can bring infinite possibilities for sustainable development but only if everyone acts responsibly #ForPeopleForPlanet.

More via @UNFPA & @UNDESA: https://t.co/NbCul6l7Jp #8BillionStrong #GlobalGoals pic.twitter.com/Wc3mDsyJbR

— UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) November 15, 2022

It should not be controversial to say a population of 8 billion will have a grave impact on the climate | John Vidal https://t.co/TJenZRi2w4

— The Guardian (@guardian) November 15, 2022