Environmental impact

NickOttens

If we all live longer, and the world population continues to grow as a result, how would that affect the environment?

Without big change in that regard -- which does not appear to be forthcoming -- could we risk exhausting the planet's ability to sustain human life the way we know it?

NickOttens

@Elizabeth, you might have thoughts on this, given your expertise in demography and the environment.

NickOttens

@Janetlee, thank you for joining our Longevity Community! I wonder if you have thoughts on this topic. What will be the impact on our natural environment if we manage to extend healthy lifespans?

LisaCovington

Found this 2013 article re the environmental impact of living longer:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/as-people-live-longer-threats-to-wildlife-increase/

ymedan

Environmental pollutants could impact cellular signs of aging

arshimehboob

Poisonous air through air pollution has been caused millions of early deaths from lung and heart diseases and linked to diabetes and mental health problems. Chemicals like nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) arising from traffic pollution in metro cities are reported to cause increased age spots and wrinkles.

NO2 reportedly showed to expedite the ageing process,
https://www.jidonline.org/article/S0022-202X(16)00453-X/abstract

Prolonged or repetitive exposure to high levels of air pollutants may have profound negative effects on the skin.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2014.00011/full