UNITED NATIONS, New York --- The 21st century is a critical
period for people and the planet, with demographic and
consumption trends posing tremendous challenges in a finite
world. These conclusions, along with recommendations for moving
toward a prosperous and flourishing future, are at the heart of
a new report issued last week by one of the world’s oldest and
most respected scientific organization, the Royal Society. The
Chair of the Royal Society's international Working Group, Nobel
Laureate Sir John Sulston presented the key findings of the
Royal Society Report People and the Planet - a wide-ranging,
international study on global population, consumption and the
environment yesterday. Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive
Director, and Philip Parham, Deputy Permanent Representative for
the UK to the UN, shared their views on the report as well.
“Improving the wellbeing of a large and growing population,
while ensuring the sustainable use of essential but limited
natural resources, is one of the great