Abstract

Exceptional heatwaves in India and Pakistan in March 2022, droughts in northern Italy in 2022-23 and wildfires in Canada in 2023, to name a few, are examples of extreme events that are documented to be attributable to anthropogenic climate change. Indeed, it is evident that the impacts of human-induced climate change on our lives, livelihoods and wellbeing are already being felt. This raises a question whether, in which direction and to what extent climate change also influences demographic processes, through affecting fertility, mortality and migration, the three key demographic outcomes driving population change. Although it is highly plausible that climate change also affects population trends, to date existing global population projections have not taken into account the climate feedback on demographic processes. This talk aims to present current evidence on the impact of climatic factors on fertility, mortality and migration. We will also discuss how this evidence can be used to inform future population trajectories accounting for the climate feedback.