“The US Role in Global Population-Environmental Links”

AAAS Annual Meeting

I. US role in global context (high population growth and resource use)

II. Key US population factors and environmental impacts

III. US population/RH trends IV. New research on env/pop as tool to

address issues

Global population and environmental changes are occurring in fundamentally different ways than ever before in history

• 60% of earth’s ecosystems transformed, mainly from human activity

(UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment)

• More people on earth than ever before (LDCs, urban, young, aging)

Plays out differently in various world areas:• Local village/community level• National/country level *• Global level

*US case – Combination of high population growth and resource consumption

The US Role in the Global Context

• Disproportionate 5% of world population, consuming over 25% natural resources

• US is the largest, fastest growing of the industrialized nations

• Only one experiencing significant population growth

• Combination (high population growth and high per capita resource use) results in biggest environmental footprint globally

US Population Factors Linked to Environment

• Population size and growth rate

• Distribution

• Composition (age, income, etc.)

• Households (number, size, land)

• Per-Capita consumption of natural resources

HouseholdsThree way impact:

• Decrease in number of people per household (increase in number of houses)

• Increase in average house size

• Increase in land area around homes

Key US Population Trends Linked to Environment

• Rural to urban

• Past hundred years - largest population increase (doubled since 1950)

• Density doubled

• Shifts to South and West

• “Metropolitanization”/ sprawl

• Over 51% live in coastal areas, on 1/5 land area

• Population-Environment “Hot Spots”- Coastal ecosystems in South;- Water issues in West (largest and fastest growing US regions)

Main US Population-Environment Linkages

• Land Use: each American uses 20% more land for multiples uses than 20 years ago.

• Water: US is top ten in world use per capita, uses 3 times world average

- 40-50% rivers/lakes too polluted for swimming/fishing

- 53% wetlands lost from development or agriculture use

• Forests: US is largest worldconsumer of forest products

• Biodiversity: 6,700 plant and animal species at risk from extinction in US, mainly from habitat loss.

-Half US land no longer supports original vegetation; sixth mass extinction, first time attributed

to humans

• Energy: 5% population, 25% energy consumed; highest world oil consumer; transportation fastest growing energy use sector

• Climate Change: 2nd largest CO2 emitter; 25% of world emissions; temperature increases of 5-9 F in 100 years/SLR and severe weather in coasts (NH=NC)

• Fisheries: 30% of US coastal fish populations overfished; one third of all US lakes, quarter of rivers, two thirds of the coastline’s fish under advisory from mercury; third of US freshwater animal species “at risk”

• Waste: Each American produces 5 times average of developing nations per capita

US Population

• 3rd largest country in world

• Largest and fastest growing of all industrialized nations (add 7,200 day)

- 1/3 immigration- 2/3 natural increase*

Addressing US Population – RH Trends

• Nearly half of pregnancies in US are unintended (at least 38% of pregnancies in every US state are unintended).

• The rate has increased substantially among poor and low-income women, while declining among higher-income women.

• Most unintended pregnancies (95%) due to women using contraception inconsistently, incorrectly, or not at all for a month or more during the year .

Nearly half of pregnancies in the United States are unintended

Unintended: occur earlier than desired,

29%

Intended, 51%

Unintended: occur after

women have reached their desired family

size,20%

Source: Guttmacher Institute 2011

Most unintended pregnancies occur when women fail to use contraceptives or use their

method inconsistently

3.1 million unintended pregnancies,by women's contraceptive use during month of

conception

Consistent use, method

failed,5%

Inconsistent or incorrect use,

43%

Nonuse,52%

What do Americans/environmentalists think about population?

New Survey/polling research (Americans for UNFPA)

• Best entry point: women’s empowerment• New constituency: concerned about

environmental degradation, believe population/consumption = negative env. impact

• Contraception can make a big difference in slowing population growth

• Environmentalists ready to discuss population and favor addressing it through voluntary access to contraception

Current Status = Future Status?on US/Global “RH, development,

environment issues”

I. Choice: Reproductive health and sustainable consumption

- Youth key

II. Access: Need to have universal access to good quality reproductive health

Socolow/Pacala’s “stabilization wedge” to reduce CO2 emissions. Population stabilization can be 1-2 wedges.

What Works, What’s Possible

• Interdisciplinary, science-based solutions

• Women/girl-centered approaches - Impacts, solutions (voice, leadership)- Different DC/LDC

• US roles and responsibilities (US leadership in funding and support RH; girls/women’s empowerment/opportunities; education; environmental sustainability US and globally)

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