Global and Regional Sustainability
Over-population or Overconsumption: Which is the bigger of two vices to the progress of sustainability today?
In the age, where the collective value of goods and commodities, the strength of economic markets and the accumulated wealth of individuals dictate the ease of life and the standards of living within society; it is imperative that we as a species reiterate to ourselves that the natural resources that enable us to fulfil all our basic needs, fashion all our desirable wants; and provisions the framework on which we build our cities, economies and daily lives remains limited and finite (McMahon, 2001 ; Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Board, 2005). The finality of such finite resources demands…show more content… Deutsch (2004) identifies that ease of availability and accessibility to these resources, coupled with the disconnectedness to the natural environment the within the wealthy, developed regions; has resulted in the dominant belief that there are a limitless amount resources. Deutsch (2004) and Fine et. Al (1996) both further suggest that the fallacy of this belief has resulted in the overconsumption of resources beyond the Earth’s natural regenerative capabilities as well as the production of immense amounts of waste, derived from both inefficient resource use as well as goods production . Fine et. Al (1996) identifies that within the focus boundaries of food production, advances in technology and genetic research coupled with the advent of the Green Revolution have all contributed to a significant increase in food production and procurement capabilities; resulting in the promotion of large scale agriculture as well as a rise in the living standards and welfare of food producers. However, despite advancements in food production, to provide for the growing global population; United Nations (2009) illustrates that the disproportionate distribution of food resources and supplies remains a key barrier to achieving sustainability. The world food crisis of 1973 to 1975, serves as a stark reminder that despite the rise in the global standards of living in addition to the progress and advancement of society; the very first of the Millennium Development
