Most, if not all, of the earth’s environmental problems are a result of human activity.
Some scholars have represented the problem with the formula I = P+A+T.
I = Impact (on environmental)
P = Population (size)
A = Affluence (wealth)
T = Technology
The validity of expressing environmental impact as a sum of independent factors has been the subject of debate among environmentalists. I = PAT is not, after all, a mathematical equation. It is only a graphic representation of the problem. One criticism draws attention to the difficulty of expressing the inter-relationships among the three factors, another suggests that there are other important factors not included in the formula, such as political and social structures.
The Dependent Variable: Impact
The variable “I” in the “I=PAT” equation represents environmental impact. The environment may be viewed as a self-regenerating system that can endure a certain level of impact. The maximum endurable impact is called the carrying capacity. As long as “I” is less than the carrying capacity the associated population, affluence, and technology that make up “I” can be perpetually endured. If “I” exceeds the carrying capacity, then the system is said to be in overshoot. Overshoot may degrade the ability of the environment to endure impact, therefore reducing the carrying capacity.
Simply put, each I=PAT factor affects environmental quality as a result of the combination of each factor’s effect on the carrying capacity (the ability of a particular region or biome to support a particular population with basic survival resources/needs as well as the ability to sustainably absorb the resulting waste and pollution). A stable carrying capacity results in a sustainable and healthy quality of life for all resident species.
Population (size)
The larger the population (global humans currently at 8 billion+), the more stress and negative impact it has on the carrying capacities of both the occupied and fringe environments. This resulting decrease in the local carrying capacity results in population overcrowding, over resource consumption and pollution with its resulting negative effects on the environment and decreased quality of life for all.
Environmental impacts of population
Increased population increases humans’ environmental impact in many ways, which include but are not limited to:
• Increased Land Use – Results in habitat loss for other species
• Increased Resources Use – Results in habitat loss of other species
• Increased Pollution – Can cause sickness and damages ecosystems
• Increased climate change
• Increased biodiversity loss
Affluence (wealth)
The variable A in the I=PAT equation stands for affluence. It represents the average consumption of each person in the population. As the consumption of each person increases, the total environmental impact increases as well. High resource consumption with high resulting waste and pollution is not sustainable, healthy or otherwise conducive to a reasonable quality of life for all.
Technology (resource intensity)
The T variable in the I=PAT equation represents how resource intensive the production of affluence is; how much environmental impact is involved in creating, transporting and disposing of the goods, services and amenities used. Improvements in efficiency can reduce resource intensiveness which reduces the T multiplier.
However, increases in efficiency from technologies such as renewable energy can reduce specific environmental impacts, but due to increasing prosperity these technologies yield for the people and businesses that adopt them, technologies actually end up generating greater overall growth into the resources that sustain us.
Impact (of combined factors)
In summary, each factor increase within I=PAT combines and compounds to increase the negative impacts on the carrying capacity of the earth’s environment. Sadly, each of these factors continues to increase with the predominant societal, economic and political attitude of pro-growth at all costs, including the continued infinite consumption of the finite natural world.
Edward Abbey, environmental author and activist said: “Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell”.
SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE IMPACT (I)
Population (size)
• Lower fertility rates / smaller families
• Women’s empowerment and girls’ education
• Access to family planning and contraception for all
Note: more of the above results in less need for abortions.
Affluence (wealth)
• Sustainable spending on basic needs and less on luxury materialism
• More activities, leisure and cultural
Technology/Economics
• Less consumption with less energy requirements (renewable and non-renewable)
• Economic steady state sustainability.
Refer to the Center for A Steady State Economy (CASSE) steadystate.org
Attitudes/Culture:
• A cultural and spiritual paradigm shift in environmental and economic attitudes
• Respect for the earth, each other and all sentient beings
• Economic de-growth
• Environmental pro-growth
• Balance
In Summary the I=PAT equation can be a useful way of thinking about and then addressing the global, national and local environmental concerns.
Online source: Wikipedia: I=PAT