An increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. Why is this the case, and what solutions are possible?

It is true that there has been an enormous increase in the production of consumer

goods

Use synonyms

worldwide during the

last

Linking Words

two or three centuries. There has

also

Linking Words

been incalculable environmental damage in

this

Linking Words

same period.

While

Linking Words

there are reasons to connect these two trends, some solutions are possible to help prevent the ecological crisis which is resulting. Two major causes of the damage caused to the natural environment by the growing production of consumer

goods

Use synonyms

can be easily identified.

Firstly

Linking Words

, there is the environmental degradation that results from the extraction of minerals.

For example

Linking Words

, there are about 1.5 billion cars in the world, and electric vehicles are promoted as an environmentally friendly alternative to petrol, as

this

Linking Words

will cut down on emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

However

Linking Words

, for the batteries alone of these electric cars, the mining of minerals like cobalt and lithium will lead to massive habitat destruction across the world.

Secondly

Linking Words

,

Use synonyms

consumption

Correct article usage

the consumption

show examples

of

goods

Use synonyms

creates mountains of toxic waste, most of which is not bio-degradable, and often pollutes water sources and kills the wildlife which depends on clean water. Measures must be taken to reduce

consumption

Use synonyms

and to develop recycling technology. In terms of reducing

consumption

Use synonyms

, too many consumer

goods

Use synonyms

become obsolete too quickly. Washing machines, computers, refrigerators, cars and televisions,

for instance

Linking Words

, should all function for decades, and so there must be strict controls on production standards and marketing. From a recycling perspective, advances in technology enable many materials to be

re-used

Correct your spelling

reused

show examples

, and governments must provide funding for more research in

this

Linking Words

field. If more

goods

Use synonyms

can be recycled,

then

Linking Words

there will be less depletion of natural resources. In conclusion, causes of environmental damage stemming from

consumption

Use synonyms

are obvious and reducing

consumption

Use synonyms

and more recycling are part of the solution.