Environmental Impact
Health minister Ivan Lewis called Britain’s ageing population ‘as big a threat as climate change’ (Daily Telegraph, 2008) and a 2008 report in Nature highlighted how changing demographics may play a crucial role in climate change.
Two things are driving this unprecedented change. One is the accumulated impact of scientific, medical, technological and welfare developments that, at the start the 21st century, has given those living in the developed world a massive extension to life expectancy. The second is the equally dramatic reduction in fertility rates that has taken place over the last 50 years. In 1950, over 99 per cent of the world’s population was reproducing at above replacement levels; 50 years later the figure was just 50 per cent and falling fast toward zero, with the real possibility of world population peaking before the end of this century and declining thereafter (Myerson, 2005).
The result of these two trends is dramatic population ageing, seen in its most radical form in Japan and northern Europe, but also evident in China, India and other developing countries. The UK was the first European country to exhibit visible signs of the growing number of older people (Coleman, 2003) but Japan currently has the most rapidly ageing population (Kose, 2003). However, the real growth will be in countries such as India and China. By 2025, there will be 290 million Chinese over 60 or the 160 million Indians over 60, who will represent 20 per cent and 12 per cent of their respective populations (Myerson, 2005). These numbers will put great demand on the planet and new ways of managing resources will have to be found.
The car is seen as a key mode of transport in maintaining independence for older people (Banister and Bowling 2004). The increasing number of healthy older drivers will continue to use the car well into later life as this is often the only accessible way to get around. More sustainable transport options that make public transport more age-friendly need to be explored. Home delivery services also play a role in reducing carbon footprint.
People will continue to work well into later life to supplement pensions and remain active. These extended working lives will have an impact on carbon emissions and energy use as offices have to be heated and lit and people travel to work.
Sources
Beckford, M. (2008) Britain’s ageing population ‘as big a threat as climate change’. Daily Telegraph 29/05/08 [Retrieved June 2009
Myerson, Jeremy (2005) Designing for Inclusion. In: Capture It: a Future Workplace for the Multi-generational Knowledge Worker. Helen Hamlyn Research Centre, London, pp 12-19
Coleman, Roger (2003) Living Longer. In: Clarkson J, Coleman R, Keates S, Lebbon C (eds.) Inclusive Design – Design for the Whole Population. Springer-Verlag, London, 7:122
Kose, Satoshi (2003) The Japanese Experience. In: Clarkson J, Coleman R, Keates S, Lebbon C (eds.) Inclusive Design – Design for the Whole Population. Springer-Verlag, London, 10:309
Bannister, D. and Bowling, A. (2004) Quality of Life for the Elderly – the Transport Dimension. Transport Policy, (11)2, p.105-115
Further information can be found be obtained at
Nature (2008) The Population Problem. Nature Reports Climate Change, 15 May. [Retrieved September 2009]