Scientists Warn Against Over-consumption

If we in the wealthy countries don't reduce our over-consumption, the world as a whole will suffer in the long run. That was the basic message from the Royal Society a few weeks ago. See here for more.

They warned that a growing world population combined with widespread over-consumption was going to have severe economic, socio-political, and environmental consequences.

We're talking increased demand for commodities leading to raised prices of raw materials, fuel, and food; Water shortages causing international tensions; failed crops due to freak weather; and a whole host of other problems.

The basic problem underlying all of this is that we're living beyond our planet's ability to support us.

To illustrate the point, this article says that Americans alone spend $1.2 trillion a year on stuff they don't need. I'm sure the rest of us are pretty close behind ourselves.

We are all dupes of advertisers who tell us we absolutely have to have their product, and we believe them. You call it exercising freedom of choice. I call it brainwashing.