Resource Consumption and Overexploitation

        We need resources to survive, but overexploitation of resources presents a very real threat to biodiversity. The lifestyles possessed by citizens in countries such as the United States are unsustainable to say the least. The consumer class, already incredibly large, is growing. Our resource consumption is expected to grow greatly in the future, partially due to population growth, and partially due to a growing consumer class. The United States uses approximately one quarter of fossil fuels globally while only containing 5% of the world's population. This is not the only resource we overuse however, with 65% of adults in the U.S classified as overweight or obese. Our diets are influenced by many factors, including individual preferences and beliefs, traditions, income, and environmental factors. Often, as a nation develops, the population becomes accustomed to a richer and more meat-heavy diet. This creates a continually growing demand for meat. The U.S. has one of the highest rates of meat consumption, at 279.1 lbs/person/year. This is similar to the meat consumption rates of Luxembourg, Hong Kong, and Australia, but is far removed from countries such as Bangladesh and Burundi, both at less than 10 lbs/person/year. Our decadent lifestyles are resulting in practices such as over harvesting, one of the top five threats to biodiversity. Over harvesting depletes a resource to the extent where it can no longer replenish itself. Often this is done to the extent that the resource can no longer recover. To create sustainable resource use, we need to educate ourselves and others about how to reduce our environmental impact and preserve biodiversity.


Sources:

Worldwatch Institute. "The State of Consumption Today." The State of Consumption Today. Worldwatch Institute, n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

World Health Organization. "3. Global and Regional Food Consumption Patterns and Trends." WHO. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.

US and International Meat Consumption Chart - Vegetarian - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. Procon, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.

Overharvesting - Boundless Open Textbook." Boundless. Boundless, n.d. Web. 4 Mar. 2015