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So, let’s all put our blinkers on, drink some more kool-aid, update our memberships to the Flat Earth Society, nod approvingly with George Monbiot & ER... and pretend none of this is related to human overpopulation & population growth (Thread)i
..”human population grew from 1.6 billion to 6.1 billion people during the course of the 20th century. (Think about it: It took all of time for population to reach 1.6 billion; then it shot to 6.1 billion over just 100 years.)
During that time emissions of CO2, the leading greenhouse gas, grew 12-fold.”
“.fast-growing developing countries (like China and India) will contribute more than half of global CO2 emissions by 2050, leading some to wonder if all of the efforts being made to curb U.S. emissions
“.fast-growing developing countries (like China and India) will contribute more than half of global CO2 emissions by 2050, leading some to wonder if all of the efforts being made to curb U.S. emissions
...will be erased by other countries’ adoption of our long held over-consumptive ways.
“Population, global warming and consumption patterns are inextricably linked in their collective global environmental impact,” reports the Global Population and Environment Program...
“Population, global warming and consumption patterns are inextricably linked in their collective global environmental impact,” reports the Global Population and Environment Program...
at the non-profit Sierra Club. “As developing countries’ contribution to global emissions grows, population size and growth rates will become significant factors in magnifying the impacts of global warming.”
According to the Worldwatch Institute,
According to the Worldwatch Institute,
the overriding challenges facing our global civilization are to curtail climate change and slow population growth. “Success on these two fronts would make other challenges, such as reversing the deforestation of Earth, stabilizing water tables,
and protecting plant and animal diversity, much more manageable,” reports the group. “If we cannot stabilize climate and we cannot stabilize population, there is not an ecosystem on Earth that we can save.” https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/population-growth-climate-change/
DEFORESTATION
Growing populations mean
increased demand for food, and a corresponding need to convert forests to agricultural land. 8 Land shortages in traditional farming areas result from the combination of several factors— among them a growing number of people,
Growing populations mean
increased demand for food, and a corresponding need to convert forests to agricultural land. 8 Land shortages in traditional farming areas result from the combination of several factors— among them a growing number of people,
a high population density, and the accumulation of previous population growth.9
Most land conversion from natural states to human uses is happening in the developing world, where population growth is most prevalent.10 In 2002, approximately 47 percent of the Brazilian Amazon
Most land conversion from natural states to human uses is happening in the developing world, where population growth is most prevalent.10 In 2002, approximately 47 percent of the Brazilian Amazon
was under some type of human pressure, leading to land-use conversion, forest loss and degradation, and rapid changes to the regional landscape.11 In most developing countries, the highest fertility occurs in remote, sparsely settled regions.
These forest frontier areas often have fragile ecosystems, and rapid population growth contributes to land conversion for agricultural use. Although agricultural productivity has generally increased globally, it has hardly kept the pace with population growth.
In much of the developing world, population growth has negatively impacted food security.12
Increased demand for fuel wood for household consumption is a primary driver of deforestation in the populous regions of East Africa and South Asia.13
Increased demand for fuel wood for household consumption is a primary driver of deforestation in the populous regions of East Africa and South Asia.13
Demand for forest products continues to increase globally, and will continue to increase in line with growth in population and income.14 In some parts of sub-Saharan Africa with high population densities, the demand for wood has already outpaced local supply.
This leads to challenges in access to wood for daily household needs such as cooking and heating.15 Slow economic growth will impede the switch to non-wood fuels, and
the demand for fuel wood is likely to increase with population growth.
the demand for fuel wood is likely to increase with population growth.
Household age and sex composition are also important factors in land use change, as they affect the relative
availability of labor for potential forest clearing activities, such as farming and firewood gathering.16 A youthful age structure,
availability of labor for potential forest clearing activities, such as farming and firewood gathering.16 A youthful age structure,
in which a large majority
of the population is younger than 30 years, may increase the momentum of a growing population.17
MIGRATION & URBANISATION
Clearing of forests by migrant families has been generally found to be
the primary cause of deforestation,
of the population is younger than 30 years, may increase the momentum of a growing population.17
MIGRATION & URBANISATION
Clearing of forests by migrant families has been generally found to be
the primary cause of deforestation,
especially in forest frontier areas.18 Most of these families have moved to the edges of large, relatively intact and undisturbed natural forest, as a result of increasing population densities pushing them out of their former neighborhoods.19 Evidence shows
that as household size increases, the demand for new agricultural land outside the farm grows, causing
an increase in deforestation. As individuals reach adulthood and seek their own incomes, they need more land for subsistence crop production.
an increase in deforestation. As individuals reach adulthood and seek their own incomes, they need more land for subsistence crop production.
This leads to rural-rural migration and further deforestation.20
Recent studies show that while migration has a large impact, urbanization is becoming the most important driver of deforestation in
the 21st century.21 The majority of the world’s population is urban and
Recent studies show that while migration has a large impact, urbanization is becoming the most important driver of deforestation in
the 21st century.21 The majority of the world’s population is urban and
most of future population growth will be absorbed in urban areas. The urban population is high in the developing world, currently at about 80 percent
in Latin America and Caribbean. In Africa and Asia, the urban population
is expected to grow from around 40 percent to 60 percent
in Latin America and Caribbean. In Africa and Asia, the urban population
is expected to grow from around 40 percent to 60 percent
by the middle
of the century.22 Evidence points to increased demand for food in urban markets in developing countries and in export markets in both developing and developed countries creating demand that drives deforestation.23 The demands of urban populations lead to
of the century.22 Evidence points to increased demand for food in urban markets in developing countries and in export markets in both developing and developed countries creating demand that drives deforestation.23 The demands of urban populations lead to
farmland expansion in rural forested areas to produce more crops and livestock, which impact forest conversion for agriculture and lead to deforestation. Diets of people in urban areas are
increasingly reliant on meat, which has driven a growing demand for farmland
increasingly reliant on meat, which has driven a growing demand for farmland
and increased deforestation.24
The decisions of individuals, corporations and governments to cut forests could also be influenced by institutional and economic governance policies. Population growth, combined with other direct factors such as poverty, corruption,
The decisions of individuals, corporations and governments to cut forests could also be influenced by institutional and economic governance policies. Population growth, combined with other direct factors such as poverty, corruption,
and weak property rights, contributes to forest loss and severe environmental degradation. Demand for forest and agricultural products to feed growing rural and urban populations will continue to put pressure on forests.
https://pai.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PAI-1293-FORESTS_compressed.pdf
https://pai.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/PAI-1293-FORESTS_compressed.pdf
