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People and the planet: Terms of reference
The Terms of Reference for the People and the Planet project are:
- Assess the latest scientific evidence and uncertainty concerning anticipated changes in population levels and rates of change, at regional and global levels. This will include exploring fertility, mortality, ageing, urbanisation and migration and the factors that influence them. It will also include an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of different modelling methodologies.
- Investigate the interconnections among population change, environments, economies, societies and cultures, including a variety of issues such as (but not exclusively):
- biodiversity, environmental services, land availability and use;
- CO2 emissions, other greenhouse gases and pollutants;
- conflict and international security;
- economic prosperity and poverty;
- food security and access;
- health, well being and disease;
- human rights and governance;
- natural resource availability (such as water);
- public views and education.
- Analyse the linkages among population, technology and consumption.
- Produce historical and regional case studies and future scenarios
- Assess options under different circumstances to deal with the possible consequences of anticipated population changes. The study will explore to what extent population changes are variables open to policy intervention. This analysis will explore the likely effectiveness, applicability and associated consequences of the various options.