Global Resource Inequality

Resource consumption varies dramatically between countries, creating huge global inequalities. LICs (Low Income Countries) consume far fewer resources because they simply can't afford to exploit what they have or import what they lack. Instead, they often sell their valuable resources to richer nations just to survive.

HICs (High Income Countries) consume massive amounts of resources because they can afford to buy from NEEs and LICs. This gives them a much higher standard of living - think year-round exotic fruits, constant electricity, and clean water. Meanwhile, NEEs (Newly Emerging Economies) are rapidly increasing their consumption as their populations grow wealthier and more industrialised.

Energy consumption perfectly shows this inequality. In LICs without electricity, people burn wood (causing local deforestation) or use kerosene stoves that release harmful fumes. HICs enjoy stable energy supplies that power everything from transport to industry, whilst also shifting toward renewable sources like wind and solar.

Key Fact: In 2014, only 19% of global energy came from renewable sources, but this is rapidly changing as technology improves and costs drop.

The consequences are serious - without adequate food consumption and energy access, LICs face malnutrition and limited development. Meanwhile, HICs' high consumption patterns are driving climate change and resource depletion that affects everyone.