POPULATION, CONSUMPTION PATTERNS AND CLIMATE-CHANGE - A SOCIOECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE FROM THE SOUTH

Although 25% of the population in developed countries consume more than 75% of the natural resources the misconceptions persist that population is a major threat to the world's natural resources. This article puts unsustainable consumption patterns and population in proper perspective. Local environmental problems in developing countries, viz. safe drinking water, clean fuels, sanitation have been emphasized as priority problems compared to global environmental problems. It is also suggested that a tradeable -emissions quota system for greenhouse gases constitutes an efficient and socially just mechanism for tackling local and global environmental problems. Greenhouse-gas emission activities and socioeconomic aspects of emissions reduction, from various activities, are discussed.