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The importance of human population to sustainability

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Abstract

Human population growth challenges efforts toward sustainability. People who are concerned about the environment, development, and sustainability are in a position to stress the importance of human population and to encourage people to choose small family size (Grossman, in Conserv Biol, 24(6), pp 1435–1436, 2010). Nevertheless, this vital subject has been treated infrequently in this journal. Of more than 500 articles published since its inception, only 15 have touched on human population, few have had population as a primary subject and only three have suggested that readers of this journal can and should have influence over population growth. This article concludes by suggesting ways that we who are concerned about sustainability should promote education about family planning and the advantages of small family size.

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  1. Biology Department, Fort Lewis College, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango, CO, 81301, USA

    Richard Grossman

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  1. Richard Grossman
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Correspondence to Richard Grossman.

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Grossman, R. The importance of human population to sustainability. Environ Dev Sustain 14, 973–977 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9364-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9364-6

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