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--- futures:resource_insecurities [2023/06/07 22:34] – sarah.wheeler
+++ futures:resource_insecurities [2023/06/07 22:40] (current) – sarah.wheeler
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 ======Resource insecurities======
 =====Summary=====
-Resource insecurity is a mounting concern globally, as well as locally; there is an ongoing struggle to find balance between sustainability, natural resource development, sustained economic growth, and current and future needs and demands. Food, water, energy, and minerals are the focus of many resource conversations, but these concepts could be extended to a range of concerns. When considering this problem, it’s not just how things are made, but how they are transported, how and how much we consume, and the waste created throughout the process.
+Resource insecurity is a pressing global concern that encompasses the delicate balance between sustainability, economic growth, and meeting present and future needs. The challenges associated with resource insecurity are compounded by factors such as migration and urbanization. Rapid influxes of people into under-equipped areas increase localized resource security concerns, while urbanization and inadequate infrastructure further amplify these problems. Additionally, regional variations in consumption patterns and demands contribute to location-specific resource concerns. Emerging economies, for example, are experiencing a rapid increase in energy and electricity demand as their middle-class expands and digital connectivity becomes more widespread. While this growth signifies progress in these regions, it also escalates consumption pressures and places additional strain on resources. It is worth noting that consumption and production growth patterns driving scarcity are not exclusive to emerging economies, as these trends can be observed universally. Limited access to resources can impede economic growth and development, highlighting the global implications of resource inequality.
-The resources most at risk can be dependent on location. As migration occurs, localized resource security concerns increase as rapid influxes of people put more pressure on un- or under-equipped places. Urbanization and poor infrastructure cooperatively amplify the problems as well. Consumption type and patterns are another regionally specific demand impacting location specific resource concerns. Emerging economies are rapidly increasing energy and electricity demand as their middle-class grows and all their citizens become more digitally connected.  The potential economic growth for these regions is a shade of progress, but with all parts of the world, the increased growth leads to increased consumption, amplifying pressures on resources. Emerging economies aren’t the only players with consumption and production growth patterns that are driving scarcity, these themes can be extended universally, as can the fact that limited access to any resource can negatively impede or constrain economic growth and development.
-The stresses and interdependencies of resources cut across organizations, missions, and governments. Sustainable resource management has become central to many policies and agendas of governments and businesses alike – but there are questions as to what effective and efficient governance will look like, globally, and locally.
-Stress on resources impacts the ability of governments and organizations to deliver on their goals and core policies.Decoupling growth and resources could relieve pressure. Circular business, production, and consumption models are commonly referenced as a positive way forward.
-Competition for any number of resources, water in particular, is increasing amongst various players. There are “trade-off[s] between water for agriculture, energy, and industrial usage” leading to increasingly complex dilemmas on how to maintain growth and allocate resources “amongst competing users and national goals ”.
+The complex interdependencies and stresses surrounding resources transcend organizational boundaries, missions, and even national governments. As a result, sustainable resource management has become a central focus for many governments and businesses. However, questions remain regarding the most effective and efficient governance approaches at both global and local levels. The pressures imposed by resource insecurity also have a direct impact on the ability of governments and organizations to fulfill their goals and core policies.
-The allocation of, and access to, resources is already unbalanced and without concerted, labored efforts , the uneven distribution will only increase . Climate change  is a contributing factor, but so is poor resource management. The ability to establish and maintain resource security can garner trust. Poor, mis-, and un-regulated behaviors contribute to resource insecurities, and many are looking towards increased regulatory and legislative control to curb issues. Reducing the fragmentation in laws and increasing effective coordination could positively improve certain aspects of the problem.
+While technology often emerges as a primary solution, it is important to acknowledge that every new product, process, or standard introduces its own set of challenges, including increased waste generation through production and equipment replacement. This realization underscores the need for holistic and comprehensive strategies to address resource insecurity. To effectively mitigate resource insecurity, it is crucial to explore a range of potential solutions. Coordinated efforts, including regulatory control and legislative measures, can help curb poor, mis-, and unregulated behaviors that contribute to resource insecurities. Reducing the fragmentation of laws and enhancing coordination among stakeholders can lead to improvements in certain aspects of the problem. Circular business, production, and consumption models are commonly cited as positive pathways forward, offering opportunities to minimize waste and maximize resource utilization.
-Technology is often turned to as the primary solution, but with every new product, process, or standard comes new/massive waste through new production, replacement of equipment, … often necessary to maximize the benefits of the new product/process/etc.
-But “no matter how much technology advances, it does not seem possible to reconcile the sustainable exploitation of the planet’s resources with the extension of current forms of consumption and production to billions more people.” (Driver 175)
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