Resource Consumption Definitions

Global Middle Class

The global middle class is when people consume 10 to 100USD per day. [this range can change/is debatable in relation to where you live. i.e: you may need more money to live in HK than Nigeria]

ecological footprint

ecological footprint is the land and water area needed to produce the resources we use and absorb the waste we generate.

Biocapacity

The biologically productive area available to provide the resources we use and to absorb our waste.

Ecological Overshoot

The phenomenon which occurs when the demands made on a natural ecosystem exceed its regenerative capacity.

Earth Overshoot Day 2024 falls on August 1

Sustainable Development

The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising, the ability of future generations to meet their in future needs

Ecological Creditors

A country in an ecological creditor when its ecological footprint is smaller than its biocapacity

Ecological Debtor

A country in an ecological debtor when its ecological footprint is exceeds its biocapacity

Circular Economy

an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products, especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way

Neo-Malthusian

A pessimist view of the relationship between population, economic growth, and resources. The belief that populations should be controlled.

Malthusian Theory

Human population will grow more rapidly than the food supply until moral restraint, famines, war or disease reduces the population. It is a pessimist view of the relationship between population growth and food availability.

Absolute poverty

A condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation, health, shelter, education, and information

Relative poverty

The condition in which people lack the minimum amount of income to maintain the average standard of living in the place they live in

1800- 85% extreme poverty

2015-12% extreme poverty

Virtual Water

Water resources that have been used in the production process of goods and services consumed and purchased.

Embedded water

All the water used in the production or manufacturing of a product or a service

Grey water

Wastewater produced by agricultural, manufacturing, household and service activities.

Black water

If waste water contains faecal contamination it is know as black water and cannot be reused.

Renewable resources

energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as solar or wind power

Non-renewable resources

Natural substance that is not replenished with the speed at which it is consumed

Food Miles

A measure of the distance that food travels from its source to the consumer

Food security

Food security means having, at all times, both physical and economic access to sufficient food to meet dietary needs for a productive healthy life.

Water security

Water security is sufficient water of high enough quality to meet the population's needs.

Energy security

Energy security is low vulnerability of vital energy systems that is available and affordable.

E-waste

a generic term used to describe all types of old, end-of-life or discarded electrical and electronic equipment.

Product life-cycle

raw materials → prodcution → distrubution → marketing sales → use → disposal extraction natural resources often multiple steps in production distribution includes transporting/exporting goods to stores when the product is bought

Recycling

the action or process of converting waste into reusable material.

Resource stewardship

Encourages a sustainable and responsible approach to managing resources that look towards the needs of future generations, rather than seeking short-term outcomes

Stewardship is an ethical stance that promotes responsible, planning and management of resources

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Physical Water Scarcity

when the demand for water is higher than the supply of water. Physical Water scarcity does not have to be in an arid environment, because there, the demand for water is normally low, so there wouldn’t be a shortage.

Economic Water Scarcity

when there is water available but for some economic reason it is not possible to fully utilise the source of water. This might be because extraction or transportation costs are too high, or because water is polluted and is not possible to treat.

Water Scarcity

Water scarcity occurs when the demand for water from all sectors is higher than the available resources