Overconsumption
The main topic I will be researching is overconsumption. I'm interested in researching the problems and solutions to overconsumption. Overconsumption is a big problem in this world today and we need to be informed on what is happening to the world around us. Overpopulation and overconsumption are both closely related and researching how they relate will help overconsumption.
The three questions I will be focusing on to guide my research are
I decided to focus on this course because I am interested in learning more about overconsumption. I find this serious problem interesting. This is also a problem that requires detailed research. Learning ways to help and change the world will improve it in the future.
#1 Overpopulation Vs Overconsumption
After completing my research it's not overpopulation that causes climate change its over consumption. After researching more about overpopulation, i've learned Africa is the leading country for population growth. Niger has a fertility rate of about 7 children per woman. This makes Niger the leading country with the highest fertility rating in the world. Now as Africa's fertility rates are high the rest of the worlds fertility rates are deceasing. This shows that overpopulation isn't the main factor that is effecting the environment, It is the ravenous demands of the rich world that is enlarging the human footprint on our planet. The United States is full of overconsumption and is effecting the environment more than overpopulated Africa. The United States seems to overuse and have an infinite appetite compared to Africa. Africas leading fertility rates do add to the effects of the environment but overpopulation isn't the main reason we are consuming so much.
The research question that I have learned relates to the class theme by showing that everyone in the world is somewhat connected. Everyone plays a part in consuming and either effecting the environment or helping the environment. As Africa has the highest fertility rates, America has to focus on conserving more and finding new ways to reduce waste.
Overall I understand that overpopulation isn't the main reason we consume so much. Overconsumption does rely on humans to use resources and materials though and thats why population and consumption change is compared closely. If we learn new ways to limit overconsumption then the environment wouldn't be less effected.
#2 Overconsumption and the environment
After completing my research on overconsumption and the environment I've learned that overconsumption destroys the environment and pollutes the air we breath. Over the years the worlds usage of raw materials has grown. From 1970 to 2010 our natural resource consumption has more than tripled. As we consume more and more materials our planet is slowly dying. Fresh water reserves, fish stocks and forests are shrinking because of overconsumption. Many species are in threat of extinction and fertile lands are being destroyed. 37% of species could become extinct because of climate change and this all directly relates to overconsumption. Overconsumption effects climate change and climate change effects the environment and the animals living there. Climate change effects weather, agriculture, health, and animals. Overall, as consumption keeps increasing so will climate change. If we can't make a change in the way we consume things then our would will slowly be destroyed.
This topic relates to the themes in class because it shows how everything is connected. Almost everything we do requires materials that have been extracted, processed, sold, and taxed. Our economy is built around these raw materials and natural resources. This research question shows how our movement of supplies effects the environment and climate change. When companies transport goods they consume energy and resources and this leads to damaging effects on the environment.
Overall, overconsumption is effecting climate change and the environment. The more materials we use the worse the environment will get. As climate change gets worse we will need to change our ways of consuming. America and wealthier countries tend to consume more materials and contribute to climate change more compared to poor cities and countries. In order to fix this hole were stuck in we need new ways to use materials that will be better for the environment and better for climate change.
Ways we can help reduce overconsumption
After completing my research I have found multiple ways to save energy and reduce our green house gas emissions. One of the best ways to reduce fossil fuel emissions is to transfer to green energy. Changing our energy sources to wind, solar, and wave energy will be a good transition to renewable energy and could also create thousands of jobs. Another way to reduce our emissions would to be less reliant on plastic. Plastic sticks around in the environment for a long time when it doesn't get recycled. Most plastics are produced using gas, oil, and even coal. Reducing plastic waste and production will decrease pollution in the air and reduce green house gas emissions. Our way of farming is really wasteful and harmful to the environment. America produces about 80 million tons of food every year and about half of that gets thrown away. There is also a huge gap in between the rich and the poor countries. The richest countries consume 10 times more resources than the poorest countries. The US and the UK have the biggest material footprint on the planet. Overall, there is a lot of waste in the world and if we practice ways to reduce energy usage and food waste then our environment and world would be a healthier place.
This topic relates to the themes we study in class because, like all the other topics it shows how the world is connected. Waste and material usage is a leading aspect to an unhealthy world. The way we buy things has such a big impact on the world and how much waste we have. Every little decision on buying locally grown food instead of food out of the states affects our waste and material use. Focusing on new ways to reduce this waste is an important factor in improving the health of the world. Overall, the way we buy, sell, and transport goods all effects the government and the left over food waste each year.
Overall, using green energy and buying locally grown food will reduce the waste and pollution in the world. Every little thing helps when trying to reduce energy use or when buying food. Converting to solar energy, buying local foods, and traveling green will all help reduce pollution and overconsumption in the world.
Food waste in different regions
Environmental change
Pearce, Fred. “It's Not Overpopulation That Causes Climate Change, It's Overconsumption.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 Sept. 2014, www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/19/not-overpopulation-that-causes-climate-change-but-overconsumption .
What is the source about?
This source is about how overconsumption effects the environment. This source shows how climate change is effected by overconsumption. This article also focuses on the population growth of Africa and other third world countries.
What did I learn and how does it relate to my research?
This source relates to my research because it focuses on the environment and overconsumption. I feel like I've learned how overpopulation doesn't have much to do with changes in the environment, its overconsumption. I feel like I also learned that the rest of the worlds birth rate is decreasing except for Africas.
Ways you can help
Darlene. “12 Great Resources to Help Reduce Over-Consumption.” Darlene Goes Green, 26 June 2017, darlenegoesgreen.com/12-great-resources-to-help-reduce-over-consumption/ .
What is the source about?
This source is about finding new ways to slow overconsumption. This source shows multiple ways of reducing overconsumption in the world. The article gives 12 examples of things we can do to reduce overconsumption.
What did I learn and how does it relate to my research?
This source contributes to my research because it focuses on one of my research topics on how can we limit overconsumption. I have learned new ways to reduce my usage of food and other products that effect the world. This source not only gives good ideas but all of the ideas are in detail and well thought out.
Overconsumption and Economy
Proxima. “Is the Circular Economy the Answer to Overconsumption?” Civil Service World, 24 June 2020, www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/article/is-the-circular-economy-the-answer-to-overconsumption .
What is the source about?
This source is about the environment and this source also shows how waste is recycled and flushed through our system. If the government redesigns this way of deposing and focuses on recovering and recycling then our overconsumption would be reduced. This article is also about how if we share platforms and show other company's ways of limiting overconsumption then it will spread to others.
What did I learn and how does it relate to my research?
This source contributes to my research because it focuses on ways we can help the environment and ways we can help overconsumption. I feel like I've learned new ways we can help other company's use less materials. I feel like this article also shows what company's have done in the past to help protect the environment.
Consumption and Population Growth
Banks, Glenn. “Climate Explained: Why We Need to Focus on Increased Consumption as Much as Population Growth.” The Conversation, 11 Nov. 2020, theconversation.com/climate-explained-why-we-need-to-focus-on-increased-consumption-as-much-as-population-growth-138602 .
What is the source about?
This article is about why we need to focus on increased consumption as much as increased population growth. This article also talks about how our global population change has decreased in the past years. If everyones consumption rates were the same then our consumptions rates would be extreme but everyone consumes at their own rate. For example the average American uses twice as much oil as someone living in japan.
What did I learn and how does it relate to my research?
This relates to my research because it has to do with overconsumption and how different parts of the world play a different part in adding to global consumption. This article also gives examples of ways we can slow down overconsumption. One example is educating women about birth control options. I feel like i've learned new ways to decrease consumption and I've also learned that different parts of the world consume at different rates.
Highest fertility rate in the country
Plecher, H. “Countries with the Highest Birth Rates 2017.” Statista, 15 Sept. 2020, www.statista.com/statistics/262884/countries-with-the-highest-fertility-rates/ .
What is the source about?
This article is about the highest fertility rates in the country. Niger in Africa currently has the highest fertility rates with about 7 children per women. Having large population is generally related to low economy and lack of awareness of birth control.
What did I learn and how does it relate to my research?
This source contributes to my research because it has to do with overconsumption and overpopulation. This article shows that even countries with high population can still consume less materials than America with a lower population. I feel like I've learned that overpopulation and overconsumption don't directly relate to each other. Rich countries consume more than poor countries that tend to have higher population.
Overconsumption and COVID-19
Bolger, Meadhbh. “Overconsumption, Globalised Supply Chains and the Covid-19 Crisis – Meadhbh Bolger.” Social Europe, 7 May 2020, www.socialeurope.eu/overconsumption-globalised-supply-chains-and-the-covid-19-crisis .
What is the source about?
This article is about overconsumption and COVID-19. Just before the lockdown in march the European Commission launched a Circular Economy Action Plan. The plan aims to improve how we design products and minimise waste.
What did I learn and how does it relate to my research?
This source contributes to my research because it focuses on minimizing waste and researching new ways to design products. These new ways of designing can help the environment survive and live longer. The EU's plan is to reduce their consumption half by 2030. This will help improve our global consumption and help the environment.
Overconsumption and Climate Change
Ajl, Max. “To Reduce Climate Change, Reduce Consumption.” InsideClimate News, 9 Oct. 2010, insideclimatenews.org/news/20090830/reduce-climate-change-reduce-consumption .
What is the source about?
This article is about how when we stop overconsumption we can drastically reduce climate change in the world. This source also focuses on how we can reduce overconsumption and climate change at the same time. Reducing consumption doesn't mean sacrificing a good life, just changing daily habits that effect climate change and the environment.
What did I learn and how does it relate to my research?
This source relates to my research because it focuses on overconsumption and climate change. Changing the ways we reuse and reduce materials can help the environment and help climate change. Climate change and overconsumption relate to the environment and the world population.
Conclusion
What have I learned?
I learned that overconsumption is slowly damaging the world as long as we don't stop it. I once thought overpopulation was the main cause of overconsumption. I now understand this is really wrong. I've learned that the richest countries use the most materials even though they have less people. I have also learned that America wastes about half of the food we produce and buy. I have learned that overconsumption really damages the environment. Overconsumption leads to climate change and climate change leads to animals environments changing and their food sources changing. As pollutants travel into the air days get warmer and there is higher chances of storms and other horrible events to occur. As I was researching I also have found ways to reduce climate change and overconsumption. Using green energy is a huge factor in limiting emissions into the atmosphere. Using solar power, wind, and wave energy are all green energy sources that don't effect the world as much. Riding a bike to work instead of driving, and buying locally grown foods so they don't have to travel as far allows for the world to be a healthier place. Donating old clothing and recycling are more things you can do to help protect the world. Overall, overconsumption is occurring in this world and If we don't do something to slow it down then our carrying capacity will be reduced and our ecosystem will be ruined.
How does what I've learned relate from the themes from the class?
This topic's relate to themes in the class by clearly showing the movement of supplies and the movement of the economy. The location of overpopulation is occurring all over this world as well as overconsumption. This topic focuses on the planet as a whole not just one country. The place of the world is being effected by overconsumption everyday. If this problem gets even worse, people will not be the same. The world will loose its resources and we would eventually run out of food and air. Regions of the world are being effected drastically and are very different from America. The way they adapt and change are both different also. Each country has its own way of handling problems. Overconsumption can also be tracked as a whole world problem that needs to be fixed. Environments are being effected and this is causing animals to migrate and try to adapt to new surroundings and environments. Environments are warming up and being cut down for supplies and this is causing animals to unnaturally change their ways of living. Humans are also being effected and and having to move away from their homes in order to get a better life.
Claims about topic and Geographies of the Western World.
I believe overconsumption is a huge problem all over the world. All of the world adds to overconsumption and adds to the pollution. The system of roads and rail roads that run our world all connect to food and produce. Buying local foods and biking to work are just the few things you can do to help reduce pollution in the air. The wealthier countries need to focus on ways to reduce emissions into the atmosphere and the poorer countries need to focus on being more educated on birth control. Overpopulation, Overconsumption, and climate change all play a part in effecting the world. Finding new ways to transport and researching new ways to produce foods could eventually solve the big problem of overconsumption.
