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7 Billion and Counting: Population and the Planet

Join The Nature Conservancy for “7 Billion and Counting: Population and the Planet,” the first event in this year’s Future of Nature speakers’ series.


Glance at any rapidly ticking global population counter, and it’s clear. Global population growth must be part of the conversation about sustaining the planet.

Already more than 7 billion, Earth’s human population is projected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050.

Does human population growth affect other species and the planet as a whole? What about families already struggling to find food, water and healthcare? Can empowering women make life more sustainable for people and nature? Can conservation and technology innovations support Earth's ability to provide food, water and other benefits for 7 billion people and counting?

On April 28, a panel of leading thinkers will tackle the question of whether population growth must harm nature and its ability to sustain life. For tickets and more information, visit nature.org/future.

7 Billion and Counting: Population and the Planet

Monday, April 28, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. (Reception starts at 5:30 p.m.; discussion at 6:30 p.m.) Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts, Wimberly Theatre, 527 Tremont Street, Boston.

Panelists include:
  • Caroline Crosbie, senior vice president, Pathfinder International.
  • Roger-Mark De Souza, director of Population, Environmental Security, and Resilience, Wilson Center.
  • Peter Kareiva, chief scientist and director of science, The Nature Conservancy.
  • Alan Weisman, journalist and author of “The World without Us” and “Countdown.”

Each night of The Future of Nature speakers' series will feature leaders in their fields discussing some of our most critical conservation challenges and opportunities. “7 Billion and Counting: Population and the Planet,” will be followed by two events:

  • May 12, “Investing in Nature: Conservation and the Bottom Line,” a discussion of the relationship between environmentally responsible investment and a strong economy.
  • June 9, “Weathering the Storm: Boston’s Future Climate,” a discussion of how Boston can prepare for the impacts of a changing climate.

Each night will include a pre-event reception with refreshments, conversation, and information from community groups working on these important issues.

All events will be at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts.

Tickets are $25 per event. A series pass for all three events is $60.

Individual event tickets and series passes can be purchased online via nature.org/future.

Tickets will not be sold at the door.

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