Population Growth Restrictions
If having children is the problem then population growth restrictions might be the answer. Every child born in the US is going to want to have the same things:
- Hot water
- Big screen tv
- Microsoft cube or Nintendo etc.
- Car
- Clean clothes
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Goods and services.
All require energy! Some countries are currently promoting population growth restriction, some are decreasing in size due to other reasons (AIDS being one of them). This will impact how easy or hard it is to reach the greenhouse gas reductions required.
The U.S. is growing. Every man, woman, and child will use energy, which produces carbon dioxide. Thus, our 7 % reduction below 1990 levels by 2008-2012 might be a reduction of 7% + 10 to 30% in 2012 because of the growth in the population and hopefully the economy.
Source:JPMU.S. Population 1790-1990China and India are the countries to watch. While China is the most populous nation India will overtake China in about 2015. Think about the impact on energy use when the Indians discover (can afford) air conditioning! Should we discourage their advances while maintaining our relatively lavish existence? The Kyoto Protocol uses the language "Every Country has the right to develop". Unfortunately, we can not afford to have these countries follow the same pathway with the same errors and the same environmental impact.
Technology transfer is a great idea but who should pay. Why should AB&B give away low NOx burners when they have investors expecting a return on investment? The emissions from the developing countries are what have kept the US out of active participation in Kyoto Protocol developments. Economic implications for the US without world wide greenhouse gas reductions!
