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The world's rapidly growing population is consuming the planet's natural resources at an alarming rate. The Global Footprint Network estimates that the world currently needs 1.6 Earths to satisfy the demand for natural resources, and suggests that this figure could rise to 2 planets by 2030. The highest levels of resource consumption are found in advanced countries (ACs), and if everyone in the world lived the lifestyle of American citizens, 5 planets would be needed. Although many advanced countries are beginning to take steps to reduce their consumption, emerging and developing countries (EDCs) are continuing to industrialise and consume more.

Why is demand outstripping supply?

• High and increasing levels of consumption in advanced countries (ACs). As incomes rise, people can afford to purchase the items they consider essential to improve their quality of life.
• Newly emerging and developing countries (EDCs) are industrialising at a rapid rate.
• Low income developing countries (LIDCs) are developing their economies (although at differing speeds) and increasing wealth and consumer demands.
• Uneven distribution of global resources can affect supply and reflect political barriers.
• Many natural resources are not renewable, eg fossil fuels.
• Degradation of some natural resources, eg water quality, leads to them being unusable.
• Population explosion. There are contrasting views on how rapid population growth can affect natural resources.

Malthusian and Boseruptian theories

Malthusian theory examines the relationship between population and food production, suggesting that while population grows geometrically (ie 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 etc), food production increases arithmetically (ie 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc). Eventually, this leads to population outstripping food production, leaving much of the world hungry.

Boserupian theory came much later in 1965, and suggested a different argument. This theory was based on the idea that population growth has a positive impact on people as it forces them to invent new methods to obtain more food when supplies begin to run out. It follows the idea of 'necessity is the mother of invention', and might refer to developments like the green revolution, genetically modified crops, and irrigation systems.

Malthus's predictions turned out to be incorrect as food production did increase rapidly to keep pace with a growing population in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, some neo-Malthusians suggest that the theory has some truth today due to the high levels of famine existing in different parts of the world.

Environmental impacts of meeting natural resource demands

• Intensive agriculture uses lots of chemicals, eg herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers which can build up in the soil and run off into water systems.
• Increased mechanisation in farming causes the removal of hedgerows to enlarge fields.
• Overfishing disturbs the balance of marine ecosystems.
• Clearing rainforests to create new farmland can cause soil erosion and desertification.
• Globalisation of food raises atmospheric carbon dioxide levels due to increased distances of food transport.
• Rainforests are destroyed to provide fuel supplies.
• Mining of fossil fuels creates environmental scars which never heal.
• Water transfer systems create large reservoirs which flood vast areas of countryside.
• Wetland habitats are drained to provide new farmland.
• Farm practices such as over-grazing and monoculture can lead to soil erosion.

To conserve natural resources for future generations, sustainable management of the natural environment is necessary.