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A nonprofit research and advocacy organization is seeking to frame the impending news of a key demographic milestone – the U.S. population reaching the 300-million mark – in environmental terms.

Toward that end, the Connecticut-based Center for Environment and Population recently issued a report that compiles an assortment of scientific data about environmental impacts associated with population growth and other trends.

The organization says the report shows how "dramatic population change (such as rapid growth, suburbanization, and coastal concentrations) are linked to equally remarkable environmental changes (such as rapid land development, habitat and species loss, water pollution and climate change)."

The organization's "U.S. National Report on Population and the Environment" – available along with related information at the center's website – presents statistics on various trends. Some of the report's highlights will undoubtedly be familiar to environmental reporters, while others may not be. They include these points:

   The United States is the only industrialized nation recording "significant population growth" and has the "largest per capita environmental impact."

   U.S. land is being developed at about two times the rate of population growth. Each citizen "effectively occupies 20 percent more developed land (for housing, schools, shopping, roads and other uses) than 20 years ago." And "sprawl" is the predominant form of land development.

   Almost 3,000 acres of farmland are developed daily. The rate of this land-use conversion development is increasing.

   The U.S. is among the top 10 nations in per capita water use. The individual American's water use is three times the world average.

   U.S. consumption of forest products has increased by 50 percent over the past four decades. The U.S. is the largest consumer of such products.

   The average number of people per household has declined from 3.1 in 1970 to 2.6 in 2000 – a trend that has combined with rising overall population to help fuel a boom in new housing construction.

   The average single-family home's size has grown by more than 700 square feet, contributing to increases in resource and energy use.

Besides discussing national trends, the report includes analysis and data illustrating trends in regions and states. One example of a newspaper's regionally-focused coverage of the report was the Boston Globe's story by staff reporter John Donnelly.

The Center for Environment and Population says it "works to strengthen the scientific basis of policies and public outreach to achieve a long-term sustainable balance between people and the natural environment."

Its "partners" in various activities include organizations such as the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, UN Population Fund, National Wildlife Federation, and Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Funders include the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund.