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set to continue with growing numbers of pensioners and falling number of workers.
An ageing population has consequences for consumption, with increased
demand for health and/or social services, retirement homes, health-care, and
technologies targeted toward the needs of older people.
Another demographic trend that influences consumption is the shrinking size of
the average household, and the resulting rise in the number of separate households,
with increased demands for products and services (ODYSSEE database
2011). This is linked in part to the ageing population as older people increasingly
live alone during their final years. In addition, high divorce rates, the reduced
emphasis on family and the growing emphasis on the individual (with young people
choosing to live independently from their parents) have all contributed to the
growing number of households and, therefore, growing consumption (Eurostat
and European Commission 2009).
More than 86% of the
population in developed
regions is expected to live in
cities by 2050.
Over 86% of the population in developed regions is expected to live in cities by
2050 (UN DESA 2010). This figure is driven by population growth, migration, and
employment opportunities. Increasingly dense city dwellings are expected to
have significant impacts on our future health and well-being. On the other hand,
dense living can impose a lower environmental impact because of opportunities
to support efficient multi-family dwellings, smaller living spaces, less private
automobile use and improved community cohesion.
Climate change and health
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that malnutrition,
diarrhoeal disease, cardio respiratory disease, infectious diseases and
extreme weather events will increase as a result of climate change. People with
low incomes are most likely to live in poor neighbourhoods, including “urban
heat islands” with an increased risk of heat-stroke. Because of their circumstances,
these people are more likely to be affected by dislocation, migration
and homelessness all of which increase vulnerability to climate impacts.
Climate change will have
direct and indirect effects on
health in Europe. People with
low income are the most
likely to be affected.
Other factors that predispose people to vulnerability to climate impacts include
living and working somewhere that is at high risk, social isolation, being old,
being very young, and chronic illness (IPCC 2007). Climate change “will also increase
health inequalities between and within countries. Deprivation increases
vulnerability to climate change and climate change increases deprivation” (SDC
2010, p. 20).
Economic growth, jobs, time and well-being
The environmental and social problems related to unsustainable consumption
are often justified with the argument that a material-intensive society provides
well-being and makes people happy. However, there is evidence that the consumption-based
model of society is failing on its own terms.
GDP growth and levels of
well-being and happiness
are only linked to a certain
threshold.
Recent studies that correlate economic growth expressed in GDP values with
the subjective level of happiness articulated by people, or with the so-called
Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare, demonstrate that while GDP growth
continued across Europe in recent years, levels of happiness have either stagnated
or even fallen (Marks, Abdallah et al. 2006).
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SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES: TODAY’S FACTS & TOMORROW’S TRENDS