Sir David Attenborough, the acclaimed nature documentary filmmaker, has signed on to become a patron of a group seeking to curb human population growth. Called the Optimum Population Trust, the organization believes that Earth may not be able to support more than half its present numbers before the end of this century. Founded in 1991, they campaign for the UK population to decrease voluntarily by not less than 0.25% a year. They’ve also launched a “Stop at Two” online pledge to encourage couples to limit their family’s size. From the article,

“Sir David, one of the BBC’s longest-standing presenters, has been making documentaries on the natural world and conservation for more than half a century. In a statement issued by the Optimum Population Trust he is quoted as saying: ‘I’ve never seen a problem that wouldn’t be easier to solve with fewer people, or harder, and ultimately impossible, with more.’”

Last April, Attenborough expressed sadness at the state of the environment — and mentioned that many things he filmed 50 years ago would simply not be possible to find again today because of degradation. “Whatever we do now the world is going to change,” he said. “The question is can we slow down those changes or reduce them? One clutches at straws to try and find something in this bleak picture which is not deeply depressing. People recognize that the only conceivable way in which you’ll save the life in the sea and the climate in the air is by international agreement,’ he explained. ‘It’s damned difficult.”

For more on the Optimum Population Trust, check out their official website here.

Categories: Causes
Tags: david attenborough.

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

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