Balancing depletion and replacement rates of natural resources

There have been unprecedented rates of economic growth in many developing countries, particularly the populous economies of east and south Asia, over the past 25 years. The highest consumption growth rates are now found in the developing world and, because of the large populations in these regions, their total consumption is catching up with the industrialized world. Total carbon emissions from China now exceed those of the European Union, although China's per capita emissions are much lower (CDIAC 1998).