Concept of the Network

The Network has been established to clarify and communicate the importance for sustainability of both population and consumption factors.  It aims to bring together development, environment and reproductive health NGOs, government departments, academics and others, to increase leverage on population issues.

It endeavours to provide a 'space' in which different constituencies can learn from each other. It is hoped that such increases in understanding of the above issues will inform the strategies of decision takers in government, institutions and NGOs as well as Network members.

The Network is UK based, but it has links with a broad range of overseas organisations and is seeking to promote closer co-ordination among these.

To offer support, please visit the section on Friends of PSN: read more

The Impact of Population Increase
It is unrealistic in many cases to argue for no population growth at all, certainly in the short run.

However there is a rate of increase, varying with circumstance, above which key development goals of poverty alleviation, per capita productivity and investment in healthcare and education become significantly compromised.

The economy at local level is unable to support such increase, with high resultant unemployment, emigration to towns, urban deprivation and breakdown of traditional community structures. At the same time, there is a strong correlation between large average family size and instance of poverty.

An equally relevant aspect of the population growth factor, requiring clearer definition, relates to its impact on sustainability in a finite physical environment by contributing to degradation of land, pollution and loss of biodiversity.

The overarching concept of the Network - The Population Coin

On one side of the coin The economic, social and environmental consequences of population growth for sustainability. This mainly applies to the majority (developing) world.	On the other side The consequences for sustainability of high levels of consumption per capita (with particular reference to CO² emissions). This mainly applies to the minority (developed) world.