Question

How has technology and economic development led to over-consumption of resources?

Hint:

Technology and economic development, while contributing to progress, have also increased demand and consumption of natural resources. Industries, agriculture, consumerism, and transportation all contribute to over-exploitation of resources.

Answer 1

Technology and economic development have played significant roles in the over-consumption of natural resources. With advancements in technology and the growth of the global economy, the demand for resources has increased drastically. The main reasons are:

1. Increased Industrialization:
- As economies grow, industrial sectors expand, leading to increased extraction and consumption of raw materials like minerals, fossil fuels, and water. The Industrial Revolution and modern manufacturing processes have required vast amounts of energy, particularly from non-renewable sources like coal, oil, and natural gas.
2. Agricultural Expansion:
- With the rise in technology, farming practices have become more mechanized, increasing crop yields. However, this has also led to excessive land use, deforestation, overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and depletion of soil fertility. For example, the Green Revolution in India significantly increased food production but also led to overuse of groundwater for irrigation and increased soil degradation.
3. Increased Consumerism:
- Economic development has raised the standard of living for many, leading to increased demand for consumer goods. This demand drives more production, leading to over-exploitation of natural resources. The rise of fast fashion, electronic gadgets, and single-use plastics all contribute to over-consumption. Products are often designed to be replaced quickly, creating a culture of disposable consumption.
4. Transportation and Energy Demand:
- With the development of modern transportation systems, there is an increased demand for fuel, especially petroleum products. The expansion of cities and urban areas leads to more vehicle usage, which further accelerates the consumption of energy and resources. Additionally, global supply chains require large amounts of resources for transport and packaging.
5. Technology-driven Extraction:
- Technology has made resource extraction more efficient, which, paradoxically, accelerates depletion. For example, deep-sea mining, fracking for oil and gas, and artificial intelligence used in resource exploration make it easier to extract resources, but at the cost of quicker depletion of these resources.