After the Spike

An eye-opening exploration of humanity's unprecedented path to global depopulation - and why it's in everyone's interests to prevent it

'Stunning ... Essential reading' DANIEL H. PINK
'Helps us understand this most dramatic period in human history' HANNAH RITCHIE
'Dissolves our preconceptions about population through evidence, rigour and a deep compassion for all' TOBY ORD

What kind of future do we want?

If we continue as we are, the world's population will peak within decades and then suddenly, rapidly decline. It is easy to imagine that fewer people would be better, for both the planet and people who remain. After the Spike asks us to think again.

In this deeply reasoned and profoundly empathetic look at our shrinking world, leading population economists Dean Spears and Michael Geruso explain why global depopulation makes it harder to escape poverty, disease and inequality - ultimately leaving us all worse off. Above all, they show how population revival, when grounded in freedom and support, goes hand in hand with a greener, healthier and fairer future for everyone.

'A punchy read' SUNDAY TIMES
'Knocks down assumptions like skittles' GUARDIAN
'We should all welcome After the Spike' LITERARY REVIEW
'Clear and comprehensive' OBSERVER
'You really should read this' NEW SCIENTIST