The matter in summary: If the resources are not used more efficiently and sustainably, their withdrawal could increase by 60 percent by 2060, compared to the 2020 level, warns the UN in a new report. Such an increase will cause great damage to the climate, nature and environment, according to the report. The extraction of the earth’s natural resources accounts for 60 percent of global warming, 40 percent of air pollution, and more than 90 percent of the world’s water shortage. According to the report, the rich countries use six times more natural resources per inhabitant than poor countries. Rich countries contribute ten times more to global warming per capita than poor countries. Poor countries are also hit harder by pollution, climate change and the loss of natural diversity than the rich countries. The future in our hands, however, believes that the government is not doing enough to reduce consumption in Norway. – The responsibility today lies with the individual, because we do not have enough means to help us make the changes that are necessary. It’s a kind of political disclaimer, says Tonje Elisabeth Kristiansen, senior adviser in Fremtiden i våre hedel. – We hope it can turn around as the science becomes more clear. We hope that the politicians will also recognize this and make the right choices. It is the UN’s resource panel that has created the report “Global Resources Outlook 2024”. The report was presented on Friday at the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, which is ongoing this week. Overconsumption is the most important reason for the world’s environmental crises, the report states. According to the panel, we now use more than three times as much of the earth’s resources as we did 50 years ago. Construction and transport contribute to the greatest utilization of natural resources, followed by food and energy. These four sectors account for 90 percent of the global consumption of resources. Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen is present at the UN Environment Assembly. Photo: Vegard Tjørhom / news – Norwegians must consume less resources And it is the richest countries that are responsible for this development, according to the report. If nothing drastic happens to consumption in the world soon, the report expects a growth of over 2.3 per cent per year. Almost every country in the world is represented at the UN Environment Assembly. Norway is represented by Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap). – Norwegians must consume less resources. This does not necessarily mean that one must have less consumption or lower prosperity. But consumption in the future must look different from today, he says. He believes, among other things, that Norwegians must adjust to traveling more collectively and to using cabins together. – But what measures is the government taking to reduce consumption? – We have many measures that we implement. An increase in the CO2 tax is a concrete example. – The government will also soon present an action plan for a circular economy, comments Bjelland Eriksen. What does the UN mean by resources? This is how resources are defined in the Global Resources Outlook 2024: That is, biomass, fossil fuel, metals and non-metallic minerals, such as gravel and sand. The term “natural resources” also includes land and water, in addition to material resources. Janez Potočnik on the panel fears more and more serious climate disasters, such as drought. Photo: AP – No more safe places left The British newspaper The Guardian has spoken to Janez Potočnik, who sits on the panel. He says that if development continues at the same pace, it will lead to more and more serious climate disasters. – Basically, there are no more safe places left on earth. If this trend continues, things will get worse. There will be more extreme weather, which will have increasingly serious consequences, he says. If the world’s resources are not used more efficiently and sustainably, their extraction could increase by 60 percent by 2060. This is compared to the 2020 level. Such an increase will cause great damage to the climate, nature and environment, according to the report. – We have known for a long time that our use of resources is not sustainable, but the resource panel’s report forces us to realize how unsustainable it actually is. – This recognition must lead to extensive political changes, at all levels, says Ingrid Rostad, senior adviser and acting head of policy at the Forum for Development and Environment (ForUM). Eirik Lindebjerg in WWF World Wildlife Fund Norway. Photo: Vegard Tjørhom / news – It’s a paradox The report thus paints a gloomy picture of the situation. However, it is not entirely without hope. The UN panel believes it is possible to spend less and still ensure growth in the economy. The report therefore calls for a transition to a circular economy. – The report states very clearly that there is no connection between prosperity and the use of natural resources, says Eirik Lindebjerg in WWF World Natural Resources Norway. – It is entirely possible to bring about further economic development, disconnect it from increased consumption and stop overconsumption. It doesn’t really give us more prosperity. These are some of the proposals in the report: Increased use of home offices and more environmentally friendly transport options. Bicycles and trains can be just as efficient and environmentally friendly as making more electric cars, the UN panel believes. The resource panel believes that much of the housing crisis in Europe can be solved by using already empty homes and unused space. This should be done rather than building new homes. A more plant-based diet, less food waste and preserving topsoil. The panel says no to producing energy and materials with fossil fuels. Such a change can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80 percent by 2060, compared to current levels, the UN report claims. The participating countries in Nairobi will also consider proposals for two resolutions that call for the acquisition of more knowledge about the consequences of the extraction of minerals on the seabed. Earlier this year, the Storting decided to open exploration for seabed minerals in certain areas. The Norwegian decision has been sharply criticized by both international researchers and the EU. Lindebjerg believes that the government’s policy is not completely coherent in this field. – We are opening up mining on the seabed and we are opening new oil fields. What we must do instead is create a real circular economy. Then it is about setting a goal to reduce consumption and invest in reuse instead of increasing the utilization of natural resources. – It is a paradox. It does not make sense. What we need now is a strategy to reduce consumption, not a strategy to burden more natural areas than we do today, says Tonje Elisabeth Kristiansen from Fremtiden i våre hands.
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Our consumption threatens the planet’s future – news – Klima
