Consumption in relation to population, environment and development

‘The Earth has enough for everyone's need but not for everyone's greed.’ (Gandhi, 1947). A statement made when the world's population was 45% and global consumption was 25--30% of today's figures. The triad of problems, population, environment and development, is now being joined by a fourth, consumption. In many respects this could prove to be the least tractable of the four interlinked problems, since consumption patterns and expectations are deeply entrenched in most societies and cultures. However, change will come, whether by design or by default. The present consumption--or rather, excessive and wasteful consumption--on the part of rich nations cannot be sustained for environmental reasons alone, as exemplified by the fossil fuel/carbon dioxide connection to global warming. Nor can the present consumption in developing nations--meagre as these levels are for the 3 billion people who account for only 5% of the global economy--climb to levels desired by many if only because of the sheer numbers of their potential consumers. At the same time, it is increasingly the case that in the food sector, as in certain other sectors, over-consumption among rich communities can lead to under-consumption among poor communities. Fortunately, there are many opportunities to relieve consumption pressures, whether through enhanced technology or shifts in lifestyles, both of which can be promoted by a variety of policy initiatives.