The UN earlier this week reported that the 8 billionth child was born causing the world population to hit the 8 billion mark. This happens only 12 years after the world population had passed 7 billion.

Many scholars remain unsure if the world population has just hit the 8 billion mark as data by UN suggests. Many however agree that the growth of the human population is slowing, within a few decades – they believe earth’s population will shrink.

United Nation’s long term projection of the world population being at 11 billion has now fallen to 10.4 billion by 2100.

The question is; what does it mean for earth to sustain 8 billion people or even more ? This question drives us to a phenomenon labeled; “Carrying Capacity”.

Planet Earth is believed by scientists to have a carrying capacity, the best description being ‘how much cargo can go safely on a ship”. So to say, “how many people can live safely on earth?”.

Professor and mathematician – Cohen who tried to calculate a definitive number in his book, ‘How many people can earth support?’ says the ever changing factors make it difficult to calculate the maximum population the earth can sustain.

How we consume, emit, treat the planet, practice sustainability – in addition to the socio-economic, political, or cultural factors and practices make it difficult to determine when an area has reached its true carrying capacity – He added.

Many believe however that if the population exceeds the carrying capacity for along period of time, resources may be completely drained or exhausted.

Earth’s ability to carry the human species is therefore completely dependent on its occupants, as discussed and deducted from Cohen’s submissions. It will depend on how we consume, emit, treat the planet and practice sustainability.

Courtesy photo.