Economic growth faces limits due to finite planetary resources

The fundamental contradiction between a capitalist economy requiring permanent growth and a finite planet with limited resources is becoming a critical historical limit for civilization. While traditional views of progress have long equated growth in manufacturing, infrastructure, and consumption with advancement, this model often ignores the physical materials required, such as minerals, energy, soil, and water.

Global extraction of natural resources has tripled over the last fifty years. If current trends persist, extraction could increase by another 60% between 2020 and 2060. Furthermore, high-income countries consume approximately six times more materials per person than poor countries, resulting in significantly higher climate impacts.