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

worldwide during the

last

two or three centuries. There has

also

been incalculable environmental damage in

this

same period.

While

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

can be easily identified.

Firstly

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

For example

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

this

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

However

, 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

,

consumption

Correct article usage

the consumption

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of

goods

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

and to develop recycling technology. In terms of reducing

consumption

, too many consumer

goods

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

for instance

, 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

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reused

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, and governments must provide funding for more research in

this

field. If more

goods

can be recycled,

then

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

consumption

are obvious and reducing

consumption

and more recycling are part of the solution.