Optimizing roads to limit environmental damage and maximize societal development in the Asia-Pacific

Campbell, Mason;Alamgir, Mohammed;Laurance, William

Abstract

[Extract] When thinking of threats to the environment roads are probably not at the top of many people's list. They should be. Road expansion is occurring at a frightening pace across the globe with projections by the International Energy Agency estimating more than 25 million kilometers of paved roads alone will be built by 2050. That is enough to encircle the entire planet more than 600 times! Approximately 90% of these roads will be built in developing tropical and subtropical regions; the epicenter of global biodiversity and the host of some of the planets most critical ecosystems. In the developing nations of Asia, for instance, in the next three years the total length of paved roads will double according to estimates by the Asian Development Bank. Part of this expansion will be as direct result of China's planned trillion dollars 'Belt and Road' and '21st Century Maritime Silk Road' projects which are expected to span more than 70 nations.

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HOPE e-news bulletin

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March

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Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment

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