Demography and climate change

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A growing population benefits social redistribution systems but poses challenges for the climate. The interplay among demography, economic development, resource usage, climate change, and political interventions regarding migration, fertility, and social redistribution is complex and interdependent. This collection addresses the methodological challenges and paradoxes inherent in these issues. For instance, while declining birth rates in Western societies can reduce ecological footprints, sustainable transport and sewage systems may require either population growth or intensified urbanization of a shrinking population to remain viable. Additionally, population growth is often argued to be essential for financing welfare states and pension systems for an aging population. The politically contentious solutions of increased migration and pro-natalist family policies highlight the need for expert discussions that incorporate the normative aspects of influencing population size through policy. Featuring contributions from prominent international researchers, this work examines how these interconnected issues will shape socio-economic realities by the middle of the century.