Jared Diamond's Consumption Factor Challenge
Jared Diamond, the author of the two very interesting books "Guns, Germs and Steel" and, more recently, "Collapse", has an interesting column in yesterday's New York Times. By his estimation, individuals in the developed world (about 1 billion people) consume resources about 32 times faster than those in the developed world (about 5.5 billion). That means developed nations consume about 85% of total world (human) consumption. This gap is too wide. In our electronic age, most everyone knows how big the gap is, and the knowledge creates jealously and friction. It fills our newspapers with frustration and violence all over the developing world.
Despite the staggering difference in consumption levels, Jared is cautiously optimistic. He feels the developed countries will realize that high consumption rates are not directly required to live a comfortable life. He mentions Europe as an example. Use of petro-fuels there is about half as much as in the U.S. yet their quality of life is the same or better than our own. He feels our consumtpion rates can and will drop so that there is a smaller gap. Rates in the developing countries, notably China and India are rising already. Of course, all this has to be done while dropping our world carbon footprint enough to keep our climates from getting too warm. This is the challenge we must all face in the next decade or so. Are your ready?
[Source: NYT]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
macmanic 1:15PM (1/03/2008)
I'm READY! But the big question remains - are the politicians in the US who continue to refuse to allow this country to become a leader in the effort to decrease consumption ready? Under the Bush Admin that answer is clearly NO.
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Throwback 2:06PM (1/03/2008)
I have not read the column, is he equating world violence to over consumption in the west? If so that is a very simplistic view of the violence going in the world. Just as an example, the current violence in Kenya has nothing to do with how many SUVs are rumbling around or streets, the same goes for Pakistan. I also don't think Americans think "if I use enough gas I will be happy". I think we value the freedom to choose how we live, and for some that may mean buying everything in sight. Do we buy more than we need (houses, cars, clothes), probably, is that the main cause of world violence no. I think the world is much more complicated. I think a coming recession, the sub prime crisis and high oil prices will dampen or spending fervor, at least for a while.
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harold paul sieglaff 12:47PM (1/11/2008)
I can't get Professor Diamond's 72 billion people
value from his oped piece NYTIMES 2 Jan 2008 page A19
(1) increase in resource supply
current = 5.5 (1) + 1 (32) = 37.5
new = 6.5 (32) = 208
(2) each 1 billion people consumes 37.5 resources
(3) 208
36 = ----- 6.5
37.5
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