Paul R. Ehrlich, a leading ecologist and co‑founder of the field of co‑evolution, died at 93. His landmark 1968 book *The Population Bomb* warned of overpopulation, resource depletion and environmental collapse, sparking global debate and influencing policies such as China’s one‑child plan and India’s sterilisation programmes. Ehrlich’s work also accelerated the development of contraception and women’s reproductive rights. Despite criticism that his focus on population growth overlooked other factors, his research shaped public discourse on sustainability and biodiversity. Ehrlich’s legacy remains contentious but undeniably pivotal in environmental science and policy.
