Overconsumption and growth economy key drivers of environmental crises

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/uons-oag061820.php


News Release 19-Jun-2020
University of New South Wales


A group of researchers, led by a UNSW sustainability scientist, have reviewed existing academic discussions on the link between wealth, economy and associated impacts, reaching a clear conclusion: technology will only get us so far when working towards sustainability - we need far-reaching lifestyle changes and different economic paradigms.

In their review, published today in Nature Communications and entitled Scientists' Warning on Affluence, the researchers have summarised the available evidence, identifying possible solution approaches.

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"The key conclusion from our review is that we cannot rely on technology alone to solve existential environmental problems - like climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution - but that we also have to change our affluent lifestyles and reduce overconsumption, in combination with structural change."

During the past 40 years, worldwide wealth growth has continuously outpaced any efficiency gains.

"Technology can help us to consume more efficiently, i.e. to save energy and resources, but these technological improvements cannot keep pace with our ever-increasing levels of consumption," Prof Wiedmann says.

Co-author Julia Steinberger, Professor of Ecological Economics at the University of Leeds, says affluence is often portrayed as something to aspire to.

"But our paper has shown that it's actually dangerous and leads to planetary-scale destruction. To protect ourselves from the worsening climate crisis, we must reduce inequality and challenge the notion that riches, and those who possess them, are inherently good."

In fact, the researchers say the world's affluent citizens are responsible for most environmental impacts and are central to any future prospect of retreating to safer conditions.

"Consumption of affluent households worldwide is by far the strongest determinant - and the strongest accelerator - of increased global environmental and social impacts," co-author Lorenz Keysser from ETH Zurich says.

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"It's hardly ever acknowledged, but any transition towards sustainability can only be effective if technological advancements are complemented by far-reaching lifestyle changes," says co-author Manfred Lenzen, Professor of Sustainability Research at the University of Sydney.

"I am often asked to explain this issue at social gatherings. Usually I say that what we see or associate with our current environmental issues (cars, power, planes) is just the tip of our personal iceberg. It's all the stuff we consume and the environmental destruction embodied in that stuff that forms the iceberg's submerged part. Unfortunately, once we understand this, the implications for our lifestyle are often so confronting that denial kicks in."

However, the scientists say responsibility for change doesn't just sit with individuals - broader structural changes are needed.

"Individuals' attempts at such lifestyle transitions may be doomed to fail, because existing societies, economies and cultures incentivise consumption expansion," Prof Wiedmann says.

A change in economic paradigms is therefore sorely needed.

"The structural imperative for growth in competitive market economies leads to decision makers being locked into bolstering economic growth, and inhibiting necessary societal changes," Prof Wiedmann says.

"So, we have to get away from our obsession with economic growth - we really need to start managing our economies in a way that protects our climate and natural resources, even if this means less, no or even negative growth.

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