Why is it imperative that humans alter their consumptive behaviors and practices to more sustainable ones?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

As a consumptive society focused on consumer goods and short-term profits, we are using or abusing many of the resources needed for basic survival—clean water, fertile land, clean air, and mineral and biological materials—in the manufacture of these same consumer goods, which are often disposable following a very limited lifespan. This focus hurts humans in two ways. First, there is rapid exploitation of nonrenewable resources in the manufacture of luxury goods not necessary for survival. Second, resources used and abused in the manufacturing of consumer goods are lost to humans for survival. As resources become scarce, cost is increased according to the laws of economic supply and demand. These cost increases will make it more difficult for more people to obtain the resources necessary for survival, thus decreasing human lifespans, quality of life, and, eventually, human populations. In essence, the question becomes one of greater urgency, where we must consider whether humans as a species will survive when the resources essential to human existence are exhausted and if actions and behaviors are not altered to focus on the development of sustainable practices.