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Over-consumption

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Over-consumption is a concept akin to overpopulation, referring to situations where per capita consumption is so high that even in spite of a moderate population density, sustainability is not achieved. For example, the People's Republic of China has an area comparable to that of the United States of America. China's population density is 4.7 times higher than that of the USA, but its per capita energy consumption is nine times lower than that of the USA, so that in spite of its larger population, China uses only half the amount of energy consumed by the USA.

The concept was coined to augment the discussion of overpopulation, which reflects issues of carrying capacity without taking into account per capita consumption, by which developing nations are evaluated to consume more than their land can support. A key argument, often made by Green parties and the ecology movement, is that consumption per person, or ecological footprint, is typically lower in poor than in rich nations.

Causes

Over-consumption is measurable. Two articles in Hippies Today, July 2004, showed that the over-consumption of energy may have serious consequences for the future of mankind if action is not taken in this generation. An unmitigated consumption of energy, generated from the combustion of fossil fuels, is claimed by former U.S. Vice President, Al Gore, as the main cause of global warming. Access to abundant cheap energy results in greater transport of goods and materials and results in further pollution as more resources are used for a greater number of purposes.

Other factors contributing to over-consumption include post-consumer waste, over-illumination, overuse of credit facilities which encourage immediate conspicuous consumption and the concept that the present ethos is that of a throw-away society. fc

Effects

Primarily over-consumption reduces the planet's carrying capacity. Excessive unsustainable consumption leads to overshoot and subsequent resource depletion, environmental degradation and reduced ecological health.

The scale of modern life's over-consumption has enabled an overclass to exist, displaying affluenza and obesity.

In the long term these effects can lead to increased conflict over dwindling resources and in the worst case a Malthusian catastrophe.

Economic Growth

However, the Worldwatch Institute said the booming economies of China and India are planetary powers that are shaping the global biosphere. The State of the World 2006 report said the two countries' high economic growth hid a reality of severe pollution. The report states

The world's ecological capacity is simply insufficient to satisfy the ambitions of China, India, Japan, Europe and the United States as well as the aspirations of the rest of the world in a sustainable way,

Population Growth

Americans constitute less than 5% of the world's population, but produce 25% of the world’s CO2, consume 25% of world’s resources, including 26% of the world's energy, although having only 3% of the world’s known oil reserves, and generate roughly 30% of world’s waste. Americans' impact on the environment is at least 250 times greater than a Sub-Saharan African.

U.S. Census Bureau figures show the U.S. population grew by 2.8 million between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2005. If current birth rate and immigration rates were to remain unchanged for another 60 to 70 years, US population would double to some 600 million people.

If China and India were to consume as much per capita as United States or Japan, in 2030 together they would require a full planet Earth to meet their needs.

Counteractions

Movements and ideologies have formed in recent decades to reduce over-consumption. These include anti-consumerism, ecological economics, freeganism and green economics.

See also

References

External links



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Last updated on Thursday March 13, 2008 at 15:12:19 PDT (GMT -0700)
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