Population and environment in Asia and the pacific: Trends, implications and prospects or sustainable development

Abstract

Population growth in Asia and the Pacific has slowed, but while the trend to lower fertility is expected to continue, the region will experience positive growth, increased density, and urbanization for the foreseeable future. Increased consumption due to population growth and affluence has severe implications for sustainable development. Energy consumption is growing faster than any other region of the world, and food consumption is increasing with a shift to more resource intensive protein sources. Land productivity decline, deforestation, declining fresh water supplies, climate change and increased numbers of natural disasters are all evidence of the impact of population pressure on the environment in the region. The recent food-fuel-financial crisis has complex and interrelated impacts on sustainable development, and the agricultural sector has been affected by economic forces in other areas. Yet there may be positive outcomes of the crisis, as "green growth" initiatives are planned to stimulate the economy through investments in new energy technologies and natural infrastructure. Progress on the Millennium Development Goal indicators on environmental sustainability is mixed, as economic development has taken place at the expense of forest loss and increased CO2emissions. Many countries, however, have reached their goals in providing clean water and improved sanitation to a higher proportion of the population.