increase of aging population was quite impressive in the recent decade not only in
India but also in the southern states. For example, a TFR decline of −0.04 had
resulted in an increase in the proportion of aging population by about 1.4 % in
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In contrast, a TFR decline of just −0.02 % resulted
in a significant increase in the proportion of aging population in Kerala (1.8 %) and
Tamil Nadu (1.6 %).
What is clear from the above discussion on change in age structure of population
and fertility transition across the southern region in over 30 years is that the total
increase in the proportion of aging population in total was comparatively higher in
Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is relatively low in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. But
finally, the above description is evident that there has been a positive decrease of
child population under age 6 and increase of elderly population in the total population is relatively higher across southern states with a continues decline of TFR.
This has certainly influenced the environmental degradation having more elderly
and working population in future. It means, more is the working population and
elderly more is the utilization of energy use and generating huge waste at the
household level, which caused land degradation, water and air pollution, which
further caused human welfare, health, and well-being.
4 The Changing Household Structure and Energy Use
It is widely assumed that, in general, smaller size households make higher energy
use and results in higher CO 2 emissions per head. The data collected and conclusions reached as part of the integrated impact assessment of the London Housing
Strategy by The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (2011) in the UK
has found that larger households consume proportionately fewer resources than the
smaller ones, with a three-person household using only about twice (rather than
three times) the water used in a one-person household. Hence, household size is one
of the factors which contribute the amount of water consumed per head. A similar
trend was also observed in India (UN 1999; NCAER 2011). Electricity use, gas use,
and waste generation show quantitatively the same trends not only in the UK but
also in other countries like US, China, and India (Lakshmana 2013). Although, the
changing demographic trends have led to a reduction in the size of family, and
nuclear family
1 is the common trend in India.
Reduction in family size naturally increases household income. This means, less
number of dependents, and more money available for savings, investments, and
consumption. Besides, demographic change has led to the preponderance of young
and working-age population in the country. Population in 15–29 age group is
1
A nuclear family is a family unit that consists of father, mother, and children.
Effects of Demographic Change on Environmental Degradation …
103
India but also in the southern states. For example, a TFR decline of −0.04 had
resulted in an increase in the proportion of aging population by about 1.4 % in
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In contrast, a TFR decline of just −0.02 % resulted
in a significant increase in the proportion of aging population in Kerala (1.8 %) and
Tamil Nadu (1.6 %).
What is clear from the above discussion on change in age structure of population
and fertility transition across the southern region in over 30 years is that the total
increase in the proportion of aging population in total was comparatively higher in
Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is relatively low in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. But
finally, the above description is evident that there has been a positive decrease of
child population under age 6 and increase of elderly population in the total population is relatively higher across southern states with a continues decline of TFR.
This has certainly influenced the environmental degradation having more elderly
and working population in future. It means, more is the working population and
elderly more is the utilization of energy use and generating huge waste at the
household level, which caused land degradation, water and air pollution, which
further caused human welfare, health, and well-being.
4 The Changing Household Structure and Energy Use
It is widely assumed that, in general, smaller size households make higher energy
use and results in higher CO 2 emissions per head. The data collected and conclusions reached as part of the integrated impact assessment of the London Housing
Strategy by The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (2011) in the UK
has found that larger households consume proportionately fewer resources than the
smaller ones, with a three-person household using only about twice (rather than
three times) the water used in a one-person household. Hence, household size is one
of the factors which contribute the amount of water consumed per head. A similar
trend was also observed in India (UN 1999; NCAER 2011). Electricity use, gas use,
and waste generation show quantitatively the same trends not only in the UK but
also in other countries like US, China, and India (Lakshmana 2013). Although, the
changing demographic trends have led to a reduction in the size of family, and
nuclear family
1 is the common trend in India.
Reduction in family size naturally increases household income. This means, less
number of dependents, and more money available for savings, investments, and
consumption. Besides, demographic change has led to the preponderance of young
and working-age population in the country. Population in 15–29 age group is
1
A nuclear family is a family unit that consists of father, mother, and children.
Effects of Demographic Change on Environmental Degradation …
103