How global development processes affect resource availability and consumption

What are global development processes?

Economic growth, industrialisation and globalisation that influence resource availability and consumption.

What is poverty reduction?

The decline in the proportion of people living below the international poverty line.

What is the international poverty line?

$2.15 per day (World Bank).

What is the new global middle class?

People earning roughly $10–$100 per day with disposable income.

Why is the new global middle class important?

It drives rapid growth in global resource consumption.

How has global poverty changed since 1990?

Extreme poverty has fallen significantly, especially in Asia.

Which region has reduced poverty most successfully?

Asia-Pacific due to rapid economic growth.

Why has Sub-Saharan Africa seen slower progress?

Conflict, climate vulnerability and weaker economic growth.

What factors have driven poverty reduction?

Economic growth, trade, education and healthcare improvements.

What recent challenge reversed some progress?

COVID-19 and global economic shocks.

Where is the new global middle class growing fastest?

Asia, particularly China and India.

How large is the global middle class expected to be by 2030?

Around 3 billion people.

How does middle-class growth affect consumption?

Increases demand for energy, meat, water and consumer goods.

Why does urbanisation increase consumption?

Urban lifestyles involve higher energy use and manufactured goods.

What is resource consumption?

The use of water, food, land and energy by individuals and societies.

What is an ecological footprint?

A measure of human demand on Earth’s ecosystems in global hectares (gha).

What does an ecological footprint measure?

The land and water needed to support consumption and absorb waste.

How do individual ecological footprints vary?

Higher-income lifestyles have larger footprints.

What is an example of a large national footprint?

USA, UAE or Australia due to high consumption.

Why do LICs have smaller footprints?

Lower consumption levels and subsistence lifestyles.

What is Earth Overshoot Day?

The date when humanity exceeds Earth’s annual resource capacity.

What does 1.7 Earths mean?

Humanity uses resources faster than Earth can regenerate.

Which sector uses the most freshwater globally?

Agriculture (~70%).

Why is water availability uneven globally?

Climate, population distribution and infrastructure.

Which regions face severe water scarcity?

Middle East, North Africa and parts of South Asia.

What is embedded or virtual water?

Water used to produce food and manufactured goods.

How do diets change as incomes rise?

Shift from staple grains to meat, dairy and processed foods.

Which countries show rapid diet change?

Middle-income countries such as China and India.

Why is global energy demand rising?

Population growth and middle-class expansion.

Which energy source is growing fastest?

Renewable energy (solar and wind).

What challenge limits renewable energy expansion?

Intermittency and storage issues.