Ep 2. Chris Packham: 7.7 Billion People and Counting

In this episode of Horizon, titled "Chris Packham: 7.7 Billion People and Counting," renowned naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham investigates the impact of human population growth on the planet's biodiversity. With the world's population set to reach 10 billion by the end of the century, this timely and urgent program examines the challenges we face as we strive to feed, house, and provide for a rapidly growing number of people.

Packham begins by exploring how humans have changed the natural world, from the carbon emissions caused by our industrial and agricultural activities to the deforestation and habitat loss that threatens countless animal species. He visits Madagascar, where lemurs are in danger of extinction due to forest clearances for farming, and the Philippines, where mangroves are disappearing as coastal areas are developed into tourist resorts. He also considers the impact of global warming on the planet, including rising sea levels and more frequent natural disasters.

But Packham doesn't just focus on the problems - he looks for solutions too. He travels to Malawi, where the government is promoting sustainable agriculture to improve food security and reduce poverty. He also meets with experts in population science and environmental policy to explore new ways of managing human growth without harming the planet. They discuss ideas such as encouraging smaller families, promoting renewable energy sources, and investing in new technologies like vertical farming and artificial meat production.

Throughout the program, Packham's passion for wildlife and conservation shines through. He meets with conservationists and activists who are fighting to save endangered species, such as the Sumatran orangutan and the pangolin, from the effects of habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. He uncovers surprising examples of nature's resilience, such as an Ethiopian forest that has regrown after being almost completely destroyed by human activity.

Ultimately, Packham makes a powerful case for why we need to take action now to protect the planet's biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for all. He argues that we must recognize the interconnectedness of all living things, and see our own well-being as intrinsically linked to that of the natural world. As he puts it, "we can't keep taking and taking and taking from the planet indefinitely." But he also believes that there is reason for hope. "If we can change the way we live, we can change the world," he says. "And that's exactly what we need to do."