Final answer:
Approximately 26 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
To estimate the number of years it would take for the planet to reach the next billion, we can use the information provided in the table. Based on the data, the time between each billion varies, with a trend of decreasing time intervals.
- From 7 billion to 8 billion: It took 16 years (2012-2028).
- From 8 billion to 9 billion: It is projected to take 26 years (2028-2054).
Therefore, based on the given information, it is projected to take approximately
26 years
for the planet to reach the next billion.