Episode 4 – Does the world have too many people? Part 1 – How many people are there?

There are many who believe that climate change is closely intertwined with the population of the planet, and that the two together will have mutually-reinforcing negative consequences for human capabilities. In fact, the world’s population structure is changing, but in ways that throw up a surprising set of challenges that are not obvious.

What have been global trends in population over the course of the last 75 years, and what will they be until the end of the century?