MANY of the world’s biodiversity hot spots are under threat because people no longer live in such large family groups. The trend turns out to be even more damaging to the environment than continuing population growth.
According to UN figures for 141 countries, more than half the increase in the number of households between 1985 and 2000 was due to people shifting from larger households to smaller ones, rather than population growth. Even in countries where populations are falling, the average number of people living under one roof is shrinking faster, pushing up demand for houses and apartments.
Jianguo Liu,…
