Organization: Population Action International
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Abstract: Population growth accounts for much of the increase in greenhouse gas emissions – but little is written or said about it
There is a close correlation between population growth and increasing emissions of the “greenhouse” gases responsible for global warming. As human population grows, so, too, does the use of fossil fuels and the conversion of land that result in increased emissions. And as nations continue to improve the efficiency with which resources are used, achieving more while using less, the effect of population on future emissions growth only increases in significance. Some experts have estimated that population growth will account for 35-50 percent of emissions growth in coming decades. And while much of this growth is occurring in developing countries, population growth is also an important factor in the United States, which is expected to grow by 50% in the next 50 years. With energy intensity (the amount of energy required to produce a unit of GDP) stagnating in the US, population growth will be an important in future increases in US energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Surprisingly little has been written about the linkages between population growth and global warming. How does the Department of Energy look at the population issue in figuring out future energy needs and strategies? Are proponents of aggressive action to limit greenhouse gas emissions involved in the population issue? Are efforts to stem rapid population growth a low-cost means of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. There are a number of interesting and novel angles for reporters to investigate and explore on the population-global warming interactions. As a first step, Robert Engelman at Population Action International has done extensive research on these topics.