Question

Explain the How and Why the increased affluence of the United States has increased and continues to increase environmental impact.

Answer 1

Ans) Affluence is the average consumption of every person in the population of a country. It is assumed that consumption increases with increase in production as both are influenced by demand. Increase in consumption of goods leads to increased impact on the environment as each good influences the environment in some or the other way. This impact can be positive or negative.

The US being a developed country, the consumption of one person in the US causes a far greater impact than teh consumption by an individual in an underdeveloped or developing country.

Increased affluence in the United States impacts the environment in the following way:-

Positive impacts

- There is an increase in consumption of organic fruits and vegetables which results in intensive farming. Intensive farming requires more land to be used for agriculture rather than concrete infrastructure. It contributes to reducing pollution in several forms and giving back to the environment more than before.

- With growing awareness on leading a healthy and nutritious lifestyle, many individuals in the US have switched to veganism. Due to its advantages, the consumption levels in vegan products goes on increasing. This has a positive impact on the environment as a whole as there is lesser animal slaughter and reduction in the pollution that is associated with it.

- Moreover, increased levels of consumption increase the generation of money in the society. A wealthy economy stresses on the importance of education and awareness which in turn will teach everyone to adopt an environment friendly lifestyle.

- With increasing awareness about sanitization and cleanliness more number of people have been using cleaning substances to maintain basic hygiene. The demand for organic and chemical free food products also increases. This will result in better sanitized and cleaned food supplies increasing their life span. Thus, reducing wastage.

Negative impacts

- Packaging of goods is an independent market in itself. Increase in consumption of any good means increase in the packaging material used to sell it. The paper, plastic, ribbons, etc contribute to environmental damage.

- Increase in technological platforms and technology being an absolute necessity increases the demand and consumption of laptops, phones and other electronics. Greater generation of electronics results in greater e-waste and emission of carcinogenic rays.

- Increase in the profits of the automobile industry increases the purchase of cars, bikes and fuel used to run them. This leads to higher generation of scrap and increased mining to replenish the resources of the earth to the point of scarcity and even extinction.

- A wealthy economy may contribute more to the environment but are not much affected by the negative impacts their consumption patterns have on the environment. Their branded items generating factory waste, their lack of empathy to the conditions of the poor and their exploitation of animals and nature to acquire the best for themselves has a negative impact on the environment.