North America contains just five per cent of the world’s population, yet we consume 33 per cent of the world’s resources. If every person on the planet consumed as much as us, we would require at least four more planets to feed the demand. At the heart of our unsustainable North American lifestyle is the waste of materials and energy.
Read more in my latest Backbone column at http://bit.ly/9uK57f
Tags: carbon emissions, fuel efficiency, Greenhouse Gas, Interface Global, methane, Ray Anderson, waste reduction
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Karen @ Pledging for Change
December 19, 2010 at 8:05 am
These are worrying statistics Jim. I wonder how many planets we would need if we consumed like China too?
At the end of the day, even though we are all well aware of the impact our consumption is having on the planet , are we all doing enough to make change happen? Many days I feel in despair and I know I am not alone. I am currently reading “Hope Beneath Our Feet” by Martin Keough which is an anthology from many respected authors and this has lifted my spirits enormously as they recognise that I am not alone in my despair.
The way forward… DO something everyday to make a difference. Stop this over consumption and mindless waste before it’s too late. The point of no return is fast approaching.
Thankyou for bringing awareness Jim.