Mapping population and climate change: resource from PAI
15 October 2011
Source: Population Action International (PAI)
Population Action International (PAI) has published an updated guide to its interactive mapping website which shows how climate change and population dynamics will change the world over time.
A map identifying areas of high rates of population growth overlapping with low climate change resilience.
© PAI
An interactive resource
The world’s population is expected to grow significantly during this century. Nearly all of this population growth will occur in the developing world, often in places that are least resilient to climate change and are expected to face growing challenges in agricultural production and water scarcity.
High rates of population growth and climate change consequences overlap in many countries. The interactive mapping website by PAI illustrates how climate change impacts, demographic trends and the need for contraception are likely to affect countries’ abilities to adapt to climate change.
In addition to global maps, the website contains new country profiles, which explore population and climate change issues in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, and Peru.
Population and climate change hotspots
The maps identify 26 population and climate change hotspots – countries that are experiencing rapid population growth, low resilience to climate change, and high projected declines in agricultural production.
Many hotspots are currently experiencing water stress or scarcity, a condition that will worsen with continued rapid population growth. And in many of these countries, a high proportion of women lack access to reproductive health services and contraceptives. Investments in family planning programs in these hotspots could improve health and well-being, slow population growth, and reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts.
You can access the maps on the PAI website and a guide to the website is available here.