Overuse of fossil fuels, minerals and other resources

People in the developed world consume large amounts of energy – about 40 times as much as the average person in the developing world. Most of this energy is derived from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and coal.

The developed world consists of only 20% of the world's population, yet it consumes most of the world’s resources - an estimated 85%, for manufacturing and energy needs.

Waste production

People in the developed world produce large amounts of waste, thereby polluting the soil, air and water. Waste occurs not just at the end of a product’s life cycle but also during the process of manufacturing. Robert Ayres, a professor of physics and an industrial ecologist, has discovered that over 90% of the materials used in manufacturing non-food or “durable” items become waste even before the final product is reached.

The profit motive and economic growth at all costs

Governments focus on corporate and private profits with no regard for the environmental costs. A profit is made from a sale after accounting for the cost of raw materials, labour, distribution and sales. The costs of extracting raw materials, disposing of solid waste, cleaning up polluted river systems and treating the victims of pollution are ignored in the calculations.

Consumerism

People in the developed world are persuaded by advertising to desire products that are not really necessary. Many products have a short lifespan and are intended to be disposable. This adds to the overuse of energy and resources for their manufacture and to the excess waste problem when they are discarded.

Overpopulation and unregulated population movements

Overall population growth in developed countries is not as high as it is in developing countries, but numbers needs to be reduced to sustainable levels. There needs to be a policy which discourages population movement into suburbs causing urban sprawl. People move out of city centres because they can no longer afford high inner-city housing costs or to find more pleasant surroundings. In addition, people who cannot find employment in rural areas migrate to the cities. Instead of creating ever-expanding mega-cities, there should be an emphasis on establishing independent towns and smaller cities where there are employment opportunities.

Lack of sustainable urban planning

The spread of suburbs and the absorption of outlying towns and villages into large metropolises are consequences of these population shifts and the haphazard location of industries. New roads to link the new suburbs and industrial estates are built, which increase cars and air pollution, and destroy more forests, wetlands and wildlife.

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Environmentally Sustainable Development in the Developed World Causes of unsustainable development Over-consumption of fossil fuels and other resources Production of waste Focus on profits and endless economic growth Consumerism Overpopulation Urban sprawl Overuse of fossil fuels, minerals and other resources People in the developed world consume large amounts of energy – about 40 times as much as the average person in the developing world. Most of this energy is derived from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and coal. The developed world consists of only 20% of the world's population, yet it consumes most of the world’s resources - an estimated 85%, for manufacturing and energy needs. Waste production People in the developed world produce large amounts of waste, thereby polluting the soil, air and water. Waste occurs not just at the end of a product’s life cycle but also during the process of manufacturing. Robert Ayres, a professor of physics and an industrial ecologist, has discovered that over 90% of the materials used in manufacturing non-food or “durable” items become waste even before the final product is reached. The profit motive and economic growth at all costs Governments focus on corporate and private profits with no regard for the environmental costs. A profit is made from a sale after accounting for the cost of raw materials, labour, distribution and sales. The costs of extracting raw materials, disposing of solid waste, cleaning up polluted river systems and treating the victims of pollution are ignored in the calculations. Consumerism People in the developed world are persuaded by advertising to desire products that are not really necessary. Many products have a short lifespan and are intended to be disposable. This adds to the overuse of energy and resources for their manufacture and to the excess waste problem when they are discarded. Overpopulation and unregulated population movements Overall population growth in developed countries is not as high as it is in developing countries, but numbers needs to be reduced to sustainable levels. There needs to be a policy which discourages population movement into suburbs causing urban sprawl. People move out of city centres because they can no longer afford high inner-city housing costs or to find more pleasant surroundings. In addition, people who cannot find employment in rural areas migrate to the cities. Instead of creating ever-expanding mega-cities, there should be an emphasis on establishing independent towns and smaller cities where there are employment opportunities. Lack of sustainable urban planning The spread of suburbs and the absorption of outlying towns and villages into large metropolises are consequences of these population shifts and the haphazard location of industries. New roads to link the new suburbs and industrial estates are built, which increase cars and air pollution, and destroy more forests, wetlands and wildlife.   Return to Sustainable Developed World - Introduction