I=PAT
John Tierney, science writer and New York Times blogger, wrote a column that was published in yesterday’s New York Times. It was an interesting column that made a hefty prediction about the future of green energy. Using a famous equation developed in the 1970s, Tierney shows how the logistics of the equation have changed since it was originally created. I=PAT, or environmental impact = population x affluence x technology, required less people, less wealth and simple technology in the 1970s.
For today’s environmental equation, Tierney believes a few things are different for this equation. For one, he doesn’t believe there will be any big “green revolution” to spark a change. More surprisingly, he says the planet will be greener as people become more wealthy. While industrialization can cause an increase in pollution, more people can afford cleaner water and air and will begin to use more environmentally friendly energy sources that are less carbon intensive.
Really interesting, very well researched article. Check it out here.
