"With business as usual, I see a combination of the projected growth population, the planned diversion of grain to produce fuel for cars, spreading shortages of irrigation water, and other trends combining to push the number of hungry people to 1.2 billion or more by 2015." (Brown, 4)
I agree that uncontrollable population growth and shortages of freshwater irrigation are going to continue to spike within the upcoming years. The poor and hungry are the first socioeconomic class of individuals that are affected by these changes. Over time, more and more people succumb to the shortage of resources and are forced to be without food and adequate supplies of water. This trend directly affects the entire Nation because there is no way to be both environmentally and economically efficient when poverty is present. Even leaders in market and trade are experiencing hardships. Homelessness is becoming a serious issue within the United States and continues to worsen over time.
Paul Hawken, author of Blessed Unrest, puts it well: "At present we are stealing the future, selling it in the present, and calling it gross domestic product." (Brown, 15)
The countries of the World are focused more on gross domestic product instead of the consequences that will greatly affect future generations. The effect of these actions will continue to negatively harm the Earth and the economy unless everyone actively participates. Most people choose against sustainability because they are doubtful of its success. Change will not occur overnight nor will it happen over a few years. The Earth has taken a beating from human civilization for over two-thousand years so it's going to take a substantial amount of time and effort to restore the damage. This issue needs to be addressed promptly before it's too late to salvage vital resources.
"The market does not respect the sustainable yield thresholds of natural systems." (Brown, 16)
I think the market is slowly coming around and beginning to focus more on environmental sustainability. More efficient products are becoming accessible to consumers at relatively average costs as opposed to previous years. Companies are also creating greater variations of efficient products for example LED light bulbs. When this technology first came out only a few manufacturing companies took the risk of producing these appliances. Now in 2015, almost all electrical lighting companies (GE, Sylvania, EnergyStar, etc.) are actively producing LEDs on a large scale. In terms of natural thresholds, the government has taken action by regulating fishing/hunting seasons to allow animals to repopulate and flourish.
"In addition to ignoring indirect costs, the market does not value nature's services." (Brown, 17)
The market doesn't necessarily ignore indirect costs, it just chooses to present consumers with a competitive price that encourages them to buy. Over time, the profit made from consumers allows for the market to reach equilibrium. As a Nation, the entire trade market is centered on the use of nature's resources. Land, water, air, and solar energy have served as the foundation of civilization on Earth. We continue to thrive on these resources because they are easily accessible. In terms of value, the market continues to thrive on environmental resources shared across the globe.
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