Scientists have warned of the possible demise of Earth due to population growth
Scientists warn that humanity is already living beyond its means. By the late 2060s to early 2070s, the Earth’s population is projected to reach 11.7–12.4 billion people.
This will create a critical overload on ecosystems and make a comfortable and sustainable existence impossible without radical changes in resource use. This conclusion was reached by an international team of scientists led by Professor Corey J.A. Bradshaw of Australia’s Flinders University.
The study was published in March 2026 in the prestigious journal Environmental Research Letters.
Analyzing data spanning more than 200 years, the researchers identified a significant turning point that began as early as the 1960s. The scientists called it the “negative demographic phase.”
During this period, the addition of new people no longer accelerates overall population growth, yet the absolute number continues to rise. Today, approximately 8.3 billion people live on the planet. According to the scientists’ model, if current trends continue, the peak will be reached between 2067 and 2076.
According to Bradshaw’s team’s calculations, a truly sustainable population level—provided a comfortable standard of living and adherence to the planet’s ecological limits—is approximately 2.5 billion people—roughly the same number that lived on Earth in the mid-20th century.
“The Earth cannot sustain even today’s population without major changes. We are pushing the planet beyond its limits,” emphasized the lead author of the study, Professor Matthew Flinders, Professor of Global Ecology, Cory Bradshaw.
Problems caused by population growth
Scientists attribute exceeding the limit to the growth of humanity’s ecological footprint, rising global temperatures, increased emissions, and accelerated biodiversity loss.
A significant portion of the current “success” in food and energy security has been achieved at the expense of fossil fuels and the rapid depletion of natural resources.
The planet will not be able to feed and support even the current population in the long term. The authors urge society and governments to urgently rethink models of economic growth, transition to sustainable consumption, and implement effective strategies for stabilizing population size.
Professor Bradshaw emphasizes: the sooner humanity acknowledges the reality of ecological overshoot, the greater the chances of avoiding severe consequences for future generations.
Earlier, social media users were baffled by the recently published predictions of the blind prophetess Baba Vanga for 2026: in November, a massive alien spacecraft will enter Earth’s atmosphere, and World War III may break out.
