January 30, 2012 | News | In the Press

"Don´t be middle-aged"

The publication of MPIDR-researcher Emilio Zagheni about the CO₂ emission of people in different classes of ages has been widely perceived in the international media.  "Don´t be middle-aged" resumes for example the renowned business newspaper "The Economist".

"Aging is healthy. At least for our planet, at least in a few years", writes the Berlin-based newspaper "Tagesspiegel". And the newspaper "der Freitag" calls  those beyond the age of 65  -  who according to Emilio Zagheni's calculations have a better eco-balance, i.e. produce much  less CO₂  - "eco-friendly retirees".

The eco-internet-portal "Treehugger" had a closer look at the data and says quite rightly so, not to be over-optimistic as it will take at least 30 years until the changes in the age structure has a positive impact on the climate. And it will only be in 2022 that the very last cohorts of the big baby-boomers will be past the age of 65. Until then, they will blow a lot of CO₂ into the atmosphere.

Emilio Zagheni has published his calculations in the scientific journal "Demography". The data has been re-published - in a slightly different form - in the Newsletter "Demografische Forschung aus erster Hand".

You can find an overview of all articles published in the media on this scientific paper in the press coverage.

More information

• The leverage of demographic dynamics on carbon dioxide emissions: does age structure matter? - An abstract of the article published in the journal "Demography"
• Individual CO₂ emissions decline in old age - Article published in the 03/2011 issue of "Demografische Forschung aus erster Hand"