Overconsumption

[robertkd]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot

Robertkd, I had a look at chris's work, good pics

@Owheelj, Canadian oil sands is related to the topic, not in reply to your comment. The simple fact is that more humans = more consumption. I understand your point with your statistics, your first link didn't work for me, but I read the last link. The connection I was making is that every human needs so much water and food to live, there is a mathematical relationship between the two. The planet has finite resources, so more people = less resources per capita. Approx 80million humans are added to the planet every year, they all need/consume water and food to live.

Interestingly

Energy consumption seems to be higher per capita in western world

Over consumption of the world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_energy_consumption
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over-consumption

A bit dated but.

http://atlas.aaas.org/index.php?part=2

And for shits and giggles, well if it weren't so serious.

http://www.worldometers.info/water/

Over consumption is interesting to me say for a per capita usage of oil, coal, gas it seems western people consume huge amounts compared to third world countries, the fact that third world countries can't directly consume those resources to the same capacity as we can affects that outcome. Because their are more people in poorer countries consuming less per capita does that mean as a group they consume more of some resources?

You may also be interested in (or not).

[Bigfoot]

@Robertkd, great video
Because their are more people in poorer countries consuming less per capita does that mean as a group they consume more of some resources?

Probably not, maybe China. By 2050 the population is expected to hit 9 or 10 billion, that's 2 to 3 billion more mouths to feed and drink, (let alone energy needs). Increasing demand on resources and decreasing supply pushes prices up putting more people into poverty eventually. Sustainability and equilibrium are needed for a successful future.


@C2105026, sure Australians consume more then Kenyans, but Kenyans still consume. Some 1st world countries are decreasing in population, but most aren't. I'm not a greenie, I'm only concerned in the future for the next generations.


How many people can live on planet earth (Documentary by David Attenborough)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN06tLRE4WE