When will our resources be exhausted?

Nachhaltigkeit

The world’s population is growing steadily and the earth’s resources are limited. Soon they will be used up if we don’t change our way of thinking!

How quickly are we using up the earth’s resources?

Some experts say that we could use up the earth’s resources within the next few years. Others say we have hundreds of years left. The truth is: No one knows for sure. There are so many variables that need to be factored in – from climate change to population trends to technological advances. However, we can say with certainty that we cannot use our resources indefinitely and will eventually run out. So if we start using them sparingly and producing sustainably now, we may be able to prevent that from happening so soon.

What are the consequences for us humans?

The end of fossil fuels is imminent. In a few decades they will be completely used up. This means that we will soon have to rely on renewable energies to continue our lifestyle. But the availability of renewable energies is limited. If we don’t use them properly, they can be used up quickly. This means we must act now to ensure that our descendants can live in a livable future. First of all, we need to reduce our energy consumption. To do this, we can, for example, insulate our buildings better and use more efficient appliances. Riding a bicycle instead of driving a car is also a good way to reduce energy consumption. In addition, we need to focus on renewable energy and try to use it as efficiently as possible. To do this, it is important to develop the technologies further and reduce the costs of using them. Only in this way can we ensure that renewable energies play a leading role in the future.

What can we do to conserve resources?

On average, a German consumes about 12 tonnes of raw materials per year – including wood, metals, plastics, textiles and petroleum products. Worldwide, the figure is as high as 40 tonnes. Yet, according to a study by the University of Kassel, only about 11% of the raw materials in circulation are recycled. If we want to reduce our consumption of raw materials, we should therefore first try to recycle more raw materials. For example, we can separate our waste and dispose of it in the appropriate bins. This way we can ensure that more waste can be recycled. We should also try to pay attention to the origin of raw materials when buying products. If possible, we should buy products that are made from recycled or sustainably sourced raw materials. We can also pay attention to sustainable furniture and decoration when furnishing our home. In addition, we can also reduce our energy consumption to conserve resources. For example, we can buy energy-saving appliances or do without the stand-by mode. We should also carefully consider heating and ventilating our home so that we do not consume more energy than necessary.

Conclusion

We have to act now, because if we continue to consume and produce the way we do now, our resources will soon be exhausted. What does this mean for us? We need to rethink and think of more sustainable solutions. It is important to rely on renewable energies and to reduce CO2 emissions. But we also have to rethink our consumption and buy more consciously. This is the only way we can protect and safeguard our resources.