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About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2012)
8 • The Southwest Portland Post FEATURES Dear EarthTalk: I read that a single child born in the U.S. has a greater effect on the environment than a dozen children born in a de- veloping country? Can you explain why? – Josh C., via e-mail It is well known that Americans consume far more natural resources and live much less sustainably than people from any other large country of the world. “AchildbornintheUnitedStates will create thirteen times as much ecological damage over the course of his or her lifetime than a child born in Brazil,” reports the Sierra Club’s Dave Tilford, adding that the average American will drain as many resources as 35 natives of India and consume 53 times more goods and services than someone from China. Tilford cites a litany of sobering statistics showing just how profli- gate Americans have been in using and abusing natural resources. For example, between 1900 and 1989 U.S. population tripled while its use of raw materials grew by a fac- tor of 17. “With less than 5 percent of world population,theU.S.usesone-third of the world’s paper, a quarter of the world’s oil, 23 percent of the coal, 27 percent of the aluminum, and 19 percent of the copper,” Tilford reports. “Our per capita use of energy, metals, minerals, forest products, fish, grains, meat, and even fresh water dwarfs that of people living in the developing world.” Tilford adds that the U.S. ranks highest in most consumer catego- ries by a considerable margin, even among industrial nations. To wit, American fossil fuel con- sumption is double that of the average resident of Great Britain and two and a half times that of With less than 5 percent of world population, the United States of America uses a third of the world’s paper, a quarter of the oil, coal and aluminum, and 19 percent of the copper. The USA ranks highest by a considerable margin in most consumer categories as well. (Photo courtesy of Comstock/Thinkstock) the average Japanese. Meanwhile, Americans account for only five per- cent of the world’s population but create half of the globe’s solid waste. Americans’ love of the private automobile constitutes a large part of their poor ranking. The Na- tional Geographic Society’s annual Greendex analysis of global con- sumption habits finds that Ameri- cans are least likely of all people to use public transportation—only seven percent make use of transit options for daily commuting. Likewise, only one in three Ameri- cans walks or bikes to their destina- tions, as opposed to three-quarters of Chinese. While China is becom- ing the world’s leader in total consumption of some commodities (coal,copper,etc.),theU.S.remains the per capita consumption leader for most resources. Overall, National Geographic’s Greendex found that American consumers rank last of 17 countries surveyed in regard to sustainable behavior. Furthermore, the study found that U.S.consumersareamongtheleast likely to feel guilty about the impact they have on the environment, yet they are near to top of the list in believing that individual choices could make a difference. Paradoxically, those with the Parker Realty, Inc. Multnomah Village - $359,000 Multnomah Village Storybook 1929 English cottage. 4 BR, 2.5 BA approx. 1800 sq. ft. carefully remodeled with style & quality. New kitchen with cherry cabinets, slab granite countertops, stainless steel appliances Jeff Parker and pantry/mudroom. Large dining room and living room with Your Neighborhood fireplace & hardwood floors. Beautiful landscaping, large Realtor Since 1980 fenced flat backyard with outdoor fireplace. MLS 12161413 The inventory of houses for sale in the Portland Metro area remains at historic lows. If you are thinking of selling contact us today for a free market analysis. 503-977-1888•7830SW35thAve.,Portland,OR www.parkerrealtyportland.com lightest environmental footprint are also the most likely to feel both guilty and disempowered. “In what may be a major discon- nect between perception and behav- ior, the study also shows that con- sumers who feel the guiltiest about their impact—those in China, India and Brazil—actually lead the pack in sustainable consumer choices,” says National Geographic’s Terry Garcia, who coordinates the annual Greendex study. “That’s despite Chinese and In- October 2012 dian consumers also being among the least confident that individual action can help the environment.” Readers can discover how they stack up by taking a survey on National Geographic’s Greendex website. But brace yourself if you are a typical American: You might not like what you find out about yourself. Contacts: Sierra Club’s “Sustain- able Consumption,” www.sierra- club.org/sustainable_consumption; National Geographic Society’s Greendex, www.nationalgeograph- ic.com/greendex. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Envi- ronmental Magazine (www.emagazine. com). Send questions to: earthtalk@ emagazine.com.