Consuming resources sustainably

Description

Consuming resources sustainably involves using materials, energy, and goods at a rate that allows natural systems to replenish and maintain ecological balance. This strategy prioritizes efficient use, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing to prevent resource depletion and environmental degradation. Key actions include adopting circular economy practices, promoting renewable resources, and encouraging behavioral change among consumers and industries, thereby ensuring long-term availability of resources and minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems and communities.

Context

Four-fifths of the worlds commercial energy use is consumed by only one quarter of the population, and at a level which is unsustainable. On average, someone in a high consumption country consumes 18 times the commercial energy used by a person in a low consumption country. The former countries cause much more pollution since resource consumption is related to environmental impact. A North American causes the emission of twice as much carbon dioxide (CO2) as a South American, and ten times as much as someone living in Southeast Asia. Nutritional resources per person follow a similar distribution. Most high-income countries have near-stable populations, but their resource consumption continues to rise. In many low-income countries resource levels per person are declining due to rapid population growth. Neither resource consumption pattern in both types of countries is globally sustainable. It is hoped new energy efficient technologies and methods, such as recycling, as well as cross-sectoral global cooperation may lead to sustainable resource consumption.