The Office of National Statistics (ONS) have updated their model of projected increases to include higher estimates of people migrating to the UK. Based upon this new model, the demographer Professor Coleman of Oxford University has predicted that the UK population could increase by up to 15 million, taking us from 60 million to day to 75 million in 2051, though even this is likely to be an underestimate, he said, because it does not factor in improvement in survival. The predictions have controversially reframed discussions surrounding the population debate by emphasising immigration over other demographic causes such as high birth rates and increased life expectancy

A key factor, however that so far appears to have been omitted from this discourse is the environmental impact that would result from a larger population. As population rises we are likely to see a proportional increase in urban planning with changes to our cherished green landscape to build more houses and shops. The controversial planning reports developed by Kate Barker and released by government earlier this year, recommend using 13% of the UK's green belt for urban development, this was sparked by anxieties over the rising number of the population. Furthermore, population densities tend to concentrate in the south east of the country and while we are already short of space here that pattern is unlikely to change. Shortages of water are occurring more frequently (especially with more erratic weather conditions), and conversely we are more vulnerable to flooding because of inappropriate planning that ignores regulations preserving flood plains.

While it may also be true that as the numbers of British residents creep up over the coming decades, some of the environmental damage from a net increase in carbon emissions could be moderated by advances in clean technology, renewable energy sources and other energy saving measures, we would nevertheless need to immediately alter consumption patterns to mitigate the impact of more consumers. Since buildings alone account for 40% of carbon emissions, from the production of cement and steel to the energy requirements of a home, the proposed building of millions of new houses in line with population increases could only serve to exacerbate the existing high level of Green House Gas emissions from Britain. While PSN supports the economic, social and cultural benefits gained from the influx of foreign nationals the Network emphasises that the environment should be central to debates surrounding UK population matters.