Human drivers of national greenhouse-gas emissions

Journal or Book Title: Nature Climate Change

Volume/Issue: Online June 10, 2012

Page Number(s): 1-6

Year Published: 2012

Abstract:

Centuries of speculation about the causes of human stress on the environment is now being disciplined with empirical evidence, including analyses of differences in greenhouse-gas emissions across contemporary nation states. The cumulative results can provide useful guidance for both climate projections and for policy design. Growing human population and affluence clearly contribute to enhanced environmental stress. Evidence does not support the argument for amelioration of greenhouse-gas emissions at the highest levels of affluence. However, the role of other factors, such as urbanization, trade, culture and institutions remains ambiguous.

DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1506

Type of Publication: Journal Article

Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Limited

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