Give specific examples of at least two (2) production and two (2) consumption habits humans have related to material resources.
People produce: food, steel, tobacco products, paper, furniture, clothing.
People consume food, tobacco, paper, clothing.
Give specific examples of at least two (2) production and two (2) consumption habits humans have related to material resources. These are discussed in Chapter Four of Contemporary Environmental Issues, which includes production of all types of consumer goods as well as consumption of environmental resources.
Discuss efforts that must be considered about these production and consumption habits in order to sustain the global population?
Sure! Here are two examples of production habits related to material resources:
1. Overconsumption: This refers to the excessive production of goods and services beyond the actual needs and demands of people. For example, the fast fashion industry produces clothes at a high rate and encourages people to buy new clothes frequently, even if their existing ones are still in good condition. This leads to overexploitation of resources like water, fibers, and energy, as well as the generation of large amounts of waste.
2. Planned Obsolescence: This is a production strategy where products are intentionally designed to have a limited lifespan, encouraging consumers to replace them sooner than necessary. For instance, some electronic devices like smartphones are released with new features and designs every year, making older models quickly outdated. This practice encourages frequent upgrades and generates more waste as people discard still-functional devices.
Here are two examples of consumption habits related to material resources:
1. Single-Use Items: This habit involves using products only once before disposing of them. For instance, disposable plastic cutlery, cups, and plates are commonly used in parties or takeaways and are thrown away after a single use. This leads to resource depletion and contributes to environmental pollution, particularly in the case of plastic waste.
2. Bulk Buying: This habit involves purchasing items in large quantities, often resulting in wastage. For example, buying perishable goods in bulk quantities without proper storage or considering expiration dates can lead to food spoilage and wastage. It not only wastes resources but also increases the demand for producing and transporting these goods, putting additional strain on the environment.
These examples highlight how certain production and consumption habits can negatively impact material resources.