More consumption, fewer beneficiaries

Unhealthy human consumption at odds with the environs and socio-equity

Published on:

30 Apr 2004, 12:00 am

World's household consumption expenditure was US $20 trillion in 2000, up from US $4.8 trillion in 1960. Some of the increase was because of population growth, but much of it was driven by rising incomes

The consumption frenzy led to unsustainable use of natural resources. Between 1960 and 1995, worldwide use of minerals rose by 2.5 fold, metals by 2.1 fold and wood products by 2.3 fold

1.9 hectares of productive land is available for each person. But every human uses 2.3 hectares

Subsiding destruction Will policies ever favour the environs?
Sectors	Subsidies (US $billion)	Externalities* (US $billion)
Agriculture	260	250
Fossil fuels, Nuclear energy	100	200
Road transportation	400	380
Water	50	180
Fisheries	25	Not applicable
Forestry	14	78
Total	849	1,088
*Although externalities are not subsidies in a formal sense, they do represent uncompensated costs that have to be borne by society at large

To save the environment and ensure socio-equity, rich nations need to cut down consumption by 90 per cent

Governments can facilitate the transition. But they are not inclined to do so. Environmentally harmful subsidies amount to US $849 billion annually worldwide

Most spending is on goods unnecessary for comfort and survival, but which make life enjoyable. In India, fast food industry is growing by 40 per cent each year, but one-quarter of Indians are under-nourished

Consumption is highest in nations like the US. An American uses 22 kilogrammes of aluminum per year, while an Indian uses two kilogrammes and an African less than one kilogramme

Trade pacts have helped the rich. Cars in Australia cost US $2,900 less than their price in 1950. This has increased their consumption

Source: 'State of the world 2004', The Worldwatch Institute, USA, 2004

Money should change hands Expenditure on luxurious goods and services can help poor
Products	Annual expenditure on products	Social or economic goals	Funds required to annually achieve goals
Makeup	US $18 billion	Women reproductive healthcare	US $12 billion
Pet food in US and Europe	US $17 billion	Eliminating hunger and malnutrition	US $19 billion
Perfumes	US $15 billion	Universal literacy	US $5 billion
Ocean cruises	US $14 billion	Clean drinking water for all	US $10 billion
Ice cream in Europe	US $11 billion	Immunising every child	US $1.3 billion

Health

Science & Technology

Cancer

Ecology

More consumption, fewer beneficiaries

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