How many people can the Earth support?

Grade Level: 
12

The Earth’s carrying capacity is the number of people the Earth can support without using resources faster than the planet can reproduce them. Experts disagree on this number because carrying capacity depends on a variety of factors including: the type and quantity of available resources, how these resources are distributed, how much of the resources each person uses, and the people’s relative quality of life. Read more about carrying capacity at the Encyclopedia of Earth.

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Bibliographic details:

  • Article: How many people can the Earth support?
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: May 11, 2017
  • Date accessed: April 17, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/people-earth-support

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, May 11). How many people can the Earth support?. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved April 17, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/people-earth-support

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "How many people can the Earth support?". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 11 May, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/people-earth-support

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "How many people can the Earth support?". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 11 May 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 17 Apr 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/people-earth-support

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

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