Shared Socioeconomic Pathways

The shared socioeconomic pathways are like a storybook about the future that tells us what might happen to the world if we make certain choices. These stories help us understand how things like energy use, population growth, and technology might affect our lives and the planet.

Think of it like a choose-your-own-adventure book. Imagine you have to make a decision about what you want to do when you grow up. If you choose to be a farmer and live in the countryside, your life might look different than if you choose to be a city person and work in a technology job.

Now imagine billions of people making these same choices, and you can see how it can affect the entire world. The shared socioeconomic pathways help us understand what might happen if lots of people make similar choices about things like transportation, housing, and food.

For example, the SSPs tell us that if we continue to use fossil fuels like oil and gas instead of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, we might see more air pollution and climate change. However, if we invest in renewable energy, we might see cleaner air and a healthier planet.

By understanding these shared socioeconomic pathways, we can work together to make choices that lead to a better future for everyone.