IT’S our fault. There are just too many of us. Our number is just too great.

We all play a part. Consumerism is a way of life. Global markets turn the wheels of our modern world. We are all consuming from nature’s store cupboard without much thought.

The larder is shrinking as our human population continues to grow at unprecedented levels.

We all need to take stock of our lives and think about our impact on the world, as we jet off in search of that dream holiday, when we plan to have a family, and, most importantly, how many children we choose to have.

Humankind is killing this amazing, diverse planet by greed and self-worth.

However, we share Earth with many wonderful life forms from fungi to the giant redwood, butterflies to lions, mussels to killer whales; plant forms which amaze us with their shape and colour; animals wild and free to roam large open spaces.

We know so little and can learn so much from all life forms, all of which are important components of this complex planet.

To let our numbers increase, year on year, means other life forms suffer greatly, even become extinct.

If our population grows and grows, how can we all be housed, fed and have clean drinking water? It is just unsustainable.

We are only the caretakers of this planet, not the masters. And big families should become a thing of the past.

CHRISTINE FRIEND Harwood Road East Hagbourne