Worldwide, 4.4 billion people live in cities. By 2050 this number is predicted to increase to 5.3 billion. What this means for our wildlife — and is coexistence possible?
In our Hope for Habitats series we’ve taken you on a journey through our magnificent natural habitats, from the grasslands to the mountains. Today, we're taking a look at a habitat that might hit a little closer to home: urban areas.
Providing opportunities and convenience, it's no wonder 56% of the global population chooses to live in cities. But they come with a major drawback — cities are often inhospitable to the natural environment. But that doesn’t mean they have to be.
Urbanization on the rise
Cities are only becoming more popular — 68% of the world is projected to live in cities by 2050. This will lead to an increase in the world’s megacities (typically defined as cities with more than 10,000,000 people). There’s an estimated 33 megacities existing today — it’s projected another six will be added to the list by 2030 as our population grows and seeks new opportunities.
As skyscrapers grow, habitats go
