Vital GEO Graphics

D ownload G raphic 2

D ownload G raphic 2

Domestic extraction used in EU-15 compared to imports of industrial minerals and ores, in kg/capita/day

Humanity’s ecological footprint

Biocapacity Humanity’s ecological footprint

0.9

Number of Earths

0.8

1.4

1.3

0.7

Domestic extraction Imports

1.2

0.6

1.1

0.5

1.0

0.9

0.4

0.8

Source: Loh and

Goldfinger 2006

0.3

2001

1989

1999

1991

1997

1995

1993

2003

1987

2001

2000

1980

1975

1990

1995

1985

1970

Source: Eurostat and IFF 2004

Overall, humanity’s ecological footprint indicates that consumption is rapidly and unsustainably increasing. There has been an encouraging decoupling of environmental pressures from economic growth in some areas. However, globalization has contributed to the achievement of environmental progress in some developed regions at the expense of develop- ing countries through the outsourcing of energy, food European consumption and production contribute to the high (and often unsustainable) use of resources, increasing environmental degradation, depletio of natural resources and growing amounts of waste inside as well as outside Europe. The wealthier the society, the more resources it

and industrial production and the subsequent reloca- tion of related environmental and social impacts. At the same time, many people in industrialized nations, and the new consumers in the developing countries do not feel most of the impacts on the environment that result from their behaviour. These negative effects on the environment and well-being (especially health, security and material assets) are felt most strongly by those, especially the poor, living tends to use and the more waste it generates. Household consumption expenditure is steadily increasing, with Western European households having some of the hi hest consumption l vels in the world.

D ownload G raphic 2

Household final consumption expenditure (European Union)

EU15

EU10

Household consumption expenditure (ppp in US$ at constant 2000 value) 18 000

Transport and communication Housing, water, electricity, gas Recreation, culture, restaurants and hotels Health and education Other goods and services Alcohol, tobacco, narcotics Furniture and equipment

16 000

14 000

12 000

Clothing and footwear Food and non-alcoholic beverages

10 000

8 000

6 000

4 000

Note: EU10 = New EU excluding Bulgaria and Romania which joined in January 2007.

2 000

0

1995

2000

2005

1995

2000

2005

Source: EEA 2007

61 RESOURCE E F F I C I ENCY