Population Shift To Affect Environmental And Health Standards

A new study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health looks at projected population growth in cities and rural areas worldwide, concluding that long-term health and living standards will be greatly affected by changing demographics.

1 minute read

June 24, 2001, 11:00 AM PDT

By California 2000


In the past fifty years, the percentage of populations in urban areas worldwide has doubled. Within the next five years the urban population will exceed the total rural population worldwide. Research shows that cities have an enormous effect on the environment, generating close to 80 percent of all carbon dioxide and accounting for 75 percent of industrial wood use. While the study presents some dire statistics about the possible future of public and environmental health, researchers conclude that steps can be taken to mitigate the impacts of population growth. First, however, political and economic hurdles must be overcome, they say.

Thanks to California 2000 Project

Sunday, June 17, 2001 in Contra Costa Times-Walnut Creek

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