Institute for Population Studies  |   Berkeley, CA  |   (510) 848-9062  |   info@howmany.org
The Truth
Our environment is distressed more than ever before. Hunger, water shortages, global warming and depleted resources loom as serious threats. Determining the best population size for a sustainable and prosperous future is the essential first step in all our efforts to help the environment...
Why We Can't Talk
In the 60's and 70's, there was worldwide concern and dialogue about the environmental impact of human population growth. Since that time, population of the world has doubled but almost no one is talking about it. A perfect storm of fears and concerns has made such conversation Taboo...

Our Mission

To empower people to determine the best population size for their region and for the planet. [more]

In the News

Florida's "Hometown Democracy" amendment - Blocking Build-Build-Builders. September 27, 2009 - Orlando Sentinel .
Our development pandemic threatens the economy as much as the environment. Building more houses when the number of buyers has not increased deflates the value of houses that is going to linger for years and years. [article]

More:   Population, Nature, and What Women Want by Robert Engelman.
In this new book, Engelman offers a vision that celebrates women’s widespread desire for smaller families. Mothers aren’t seeking more children, he argues, but more for their children. If they’re able to realize their intentions, we just might suffer less climate change, hunger, and disease, not to mention sky-high housing costs and infuriating traffic jams. [article]

A Pivotal Moment: Population, Justice & The Environmental Challenge
Dec 23,2009 This new book compiled by Laurie Mazur discusses environmental issues as they affect equality, justice and sustainability. Regarding the UN's low and high estimates for World population in 2050 "if we take seriously the twin imperatives of sustainablilty and equity, it becomes clear that it would be easier to provide a good life - at less environmental cost - for 8 rather than almost 11 billion people." [Press Release]

California Water Myths: Finger Pointing
Dec 14,2009 Current legislation will force urban users to decrease water usage 20% by 2020. The authors say we shouldn't blame agriculture. That's true, but they don't mention overpopulation. They don't say that if population doesn't grow 20%, we won't have to cut back our water usage. Might this glaring ommision have anything to do with the political and economic power of the developer's lobby in Sacramento? Hmmm... [article]

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