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The Ageing US Population and Environmental Policy

Author

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  • Bruce Tonn
  • Greg Waidley
  • Carl Petrich

Abstract

This paper explores the potential ramifications of an ageing US population for near-term and future environmental policy. The US Census Bureau estimates that the US population 65 years old and older will number 39 million in 2010, 69 million in 2030 and 79 million in 2050. The population 85 years old and older will number 5.6 million in 2010, 8.5 million in 2030 and 18.2 million in 2050. Relationships between environmental problems such as air pollution and global warming and older persons' health issues are examined. Also addressed are the potential implications for environmental quality of how older persons allocate their time and money. Conflicts about environmental policy within generations of older persons and between older persons and younger generations already exist and may escalate as older persons seek both to protect themselves from environmental risks and to enjoy environmental amenities and financial security. It is argued that environmental protection will eventually prevail over economic concerns, not only because current support for the environment is high and increasing among generations of soon to be older Americans but also because the prospect of substantially increased life spans will lead people to act more actively to reduce environmental risks and enhance the surrounding environments where they will live. To better meet the needs of an ageing population while at the same time protecting the environment, innovations are needed in ecosystem management, urban design and economic policies. Expanded research and development programmes are needed to support each of these areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce Tonn & Greg Waidley & Carl Petrich, 2001. "The Ageing US Population and Environmental Policy," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(6), pages 851-876.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:44:y:2001:i:6:p:851-876
    DOI: 10.1080/09640560120087606
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yan Wang & Feng Hao & Yunxia Liu, 2021. "Pro-Environmental Behavior in an Aging World: Evidence from 31 Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Jaehyeok Kim & Hyungwoo Lim & Ha-Hyun Jo, 2020. "Do Aging and Low Fertility Reduce Carbon Emissions in Korea? Evidence from IPAT Augmented EKC Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Feng Wang & Jin Fan & Ann Reisner & Hong Mi, 2017. "Health Consciousness, Smog Consciousness and Chinese Elderly Migrant Workers’ Preferred Retirement Place," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Mavisakalyan, Astghik & Tarverdi, Yashar & Weber, Clas, 2018. "Talking in the present, caring for the future: Language and environment," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 1370-1387.
    5. Ghazala Aziz & Rida Waheed & Suleman Sarwar & Mohd Saeed Khan, 2022. "The Significance of Governance Indicators to Achieve Carbon Neutrality: A New Insight of Life Expectancy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    6. Motavasseli, Ali, 2016. "Essays in environmental policy and household economics," Other publications TiSEM b32e287e-169b-4e89-9878-1, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    7. Donglan Zha & Pan Liu & Hui Shi, 2022. "Does population aging aggravate air pollution in China?," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 1-14, February.
    8. Squalli, Jay, 2010. "An empirical assessment of U.S. state-level immigration and environmental emissions," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1170-1175, March.

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