Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
circle, having a purpose in life, and holding basic freedoms are more important than material
factors (Smil, 2003).
However, the problem with consumerism is that it uses energy (nonrenewable in most
cases) and materials that cannot be sustained in the long run. Eventually, the depletion of these
resources will curve the consumption of unnecessary products; however, the damage will be
already done by the use of resources wasted on needless products.
Economic system based on growth
The global nonadjusted-by-inflation GDP has grown from $1.35 trillion in 1960 to 61.1
trillion in 2008 (Google, 2010). In 2008, the economic crisis made the global GDP stall after
global trade had the largest single year drop since World War II (Central Intelligence Agency
[CIA], 2009).
Growth is the holy grail of the current economic system. Individuals, companies, schools,
and countries are growing. The stock market is driven in part by the potential growth of
individual companies or the whole economy. In this context, any news implying that growth
could be compromised in any way is enough to affect the stock market negatively. On the
contrary, positive news implying, even the illusionary, potential of growth and consumption
drives the market upward.
Nevertheless, can continuous growth be feasible in the long run? If resources that feed the
economy were unlimited then it could be feasible. However, we do not have unlimited
resources of energy and materials. With the exception of France, the GDP of the rest of the
world is correlated with carbon emissions. So the capability of growing is associated with the
availability of fossil fuels and certainly with minerals. The danger of climate change is making
continuous growth even more challenging. Some developed countries are trying to develop
alternative sources of energy and materials to substitute the current practices without
compromising growth, but their success is yet to be seen.
SUMMARY
In previous times, the impact of population on the planet was negligible on a global scale.
However, economic and social systems have grown to such an extent that they are impacting
the Earth's systems and affecting essential services the planet provides. Long-term cycles that
took millions of years and shaped the planet as it is known today have been altered in two
centuries' time.
Humans have created economic and social systems nurtured by the use of natural
resources—especially energy and minerals—that eventually will be depleted. Oddly world
population is still rising and the economic system is still based on the premise of growth.
Permanent growth and sustainability are absolutely incongruent terms unless resources are
unlimited; and that is not yet the case.
REFERENCES
Andreae, M., et al. 1985. Dimethyl sulfide in the marine atmosphere.
Journal of Geophysical Research
90
(D7): 12891-900.
Bala, G., et al. 2007. Combined climate and carbon-cycle effects of large-scale deforestation.
Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences
104 (16): 6550-55.
