The current economic model of production and consumption, based on the constant growth of consumption of ores, minerals, biomass, fossil fuels and fresh water, is unsustainable. Endless growth is not possible on a finite planet, and the current development model will not be able to continue without endangering nature and the gains of two centuries of growing human prosperity. The latter is a multidimensional concept. The availability and quality of the resources of life: water, fertile soils, clean air, energy, biodiversity and its indispensable ecosystem services, as well as a liveable climate, are the cornerstones of the well-being of every community. These not only enable subsistence, but also have a crucial impact on material (e.g. benefits from environmental services) and social well-being (e.g. health, safety from natural disasters). As the basis for well-being, living resources, whatever the size of the community – from local to global – are limited and vulnerable.
We need to use the Earth’s limited resources more sustainably. Our society depends on metals, minerals, fuels, water, wood, fertile soil and clean air as important inputs to keep our economy functioning. But we have been consuming these finite resources at a much faster rate than they can be replenished, and unless we start to do things differently, the result will be a significant shortage. Europe relies on the rest of the world for many resources, such as fuel and raw materials in products imported from outside the EU. Their shortage and the changing prices of commodities could cause instability in many regions of the world, so more efficient use of resources is a must for all of us.
