LONDON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- A top British official says couples who have more than two children create an unbearable burden on the environment.

"I think we will work our way towards a position that says having more than two children is irresponsible," said Jonathan Porritt, chairman of Britain's Sustainable Development Commission.


Curbing population growth through contraception and abortion is key to combating climate change, said Porritt, who has two children and argues the government must promote more effective family planning.

Each baby born in Britain will use, during his or her lifetime, an amount of carbon equivalent to 20 acres of old-growth woodland, said the Optimum Population Trust.

Britain's current population of 61 million people is expected to exceed 70 million by 2028, while the world's current population of 6.7 billion people is expected to rise to 9.2 billion by 2050, reported The Sunday Times of London.