A new study led by the University of Groningen outlines how humanity can live within the Earth’s limits through evidence-based policies that address consumption patterns, particularly among the wealthiest populations.
With the world’s population surpassing 8 billion, our collective consumption of Earth’s resources is inching towards unsustainability. A recent study spearheaded by Klaus Hubacek, a professor of science, technology and society at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, examines the pressing question: How much can we consume without transgressing the planet’s capacity to support life?
Already, six of the nine planetary boundaries had been crossed in 2023, signaling potential irreversible damage to the planet’s stability.
The disparity in consumption patterns between the world’s richest and poorest populations is stark. The richest 1% of people generate 50 times more greenhouse gases than the bottom half of the global population. This divide is a central theme in Hubacek and his team’s work and their paper published today in the journal Nature.
Using data from up to 201 consumption groups across 168 countries, the study analyzes how varying spending habits impact six key environmental indicators. The findings suggest that if the top 20% of consumers adopted more sustainable behaviors, their environmental footprint could be reduced by 25% to 53%.
A shift in how we consume food and services could bring critical planetary boundaries back within safe limits. Specifically, reducing meat intake in favor of legumes and nuts among wealthier populations could cut food-driven emissions by 17%, even as meat consumption among poorer nations grows.
“Obviously, there will be differences. A plant-based diet is not suitable for traditional Mongolian nomads, who depend on yaks and their milk,” Hubacek said in a news release, emphasizing the need for region-specific solutions.
Hubacek and his team’s research suggests that existing solutions, such as improved dietary choices and more rational use of subsidies, can significantly mitigate environmental impacts.
“[M]ost governments subsidize bad behavior,” Hubacek added, pointing out that fossil fuel subsidies often negate the benefits of carbon pricing mechanisms like carbon taxes.
Despite the challenges, the researchers remain optimistic that humanity can live within the planetary boundaries. However, political willpower is crucial.
“This worries me. And it causes real fear in the younger generation,” added Hubacek.
Ultimately, the team’s work stresses the need for policies grounded in scientific evidence rather than new technological solutions.
“I’m doing this work first and foremost because of my academic interest. But I also don’t want to waste my time on something that is meaningless. What we need are evidence-based policies,” Hubacek added.
The pathway to sustainable living is clear: it requires a collective effort to change consumption patterns and implement policies that support these changes. Hubacek and his team’s research stands as a critical reminder that while the task is daunting, it is far from impossible.