Life on a planet of 9 billion

Since 1970, populations of species have declined by around half. Each year, people consume 50% more resources than the planet can replenish. They are no longer living off the planet's interest, but eroding its capital. In doing so, they are not only plundering their own essential resource base but also destroying habitats, eroding biodiversity and impacting the crucial services nature provides to them, day after day, for free. Meeting the needs and aspirations of the next generations will be an increasing challenge. And with half of today's population living on less than US$2.50 per day, this challenge is set against the imperative of many governments to reduce poverty and improve the living standards of their citizens.