Resource insecurities

­­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.

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 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.

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)

Sustainable Health Systems - Visions, Strategies, Critical Uncertainties and Scenarios by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with McKinsey & Company interviewed over 200 leaders in healthcare to provide a systemic analysis of the healthcare industry and answer the question: what could health systems look like in 2040? One of the Drivers of Change identified is 'resource availability'.

Future Scenarios and Implications for the Industry by World Economic Forum presents three potential future scenarios and their implications for industries: 1.) Building in a virtual world; 2.) Factories run the world; 3.) A green reboot. These scenarios explore different paths of technological advancement, social changes, and environmental challenges. One megatrend identified to influence the scenarios is 'resource scarcity'.

A World Reaching Inflection Pointby Centre for Strategic Futures provides an overview of the DF2040 themes, outlining key areas of focus for Singapore's future development. It emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and resilience, aiming to create a vibrant and inclusive city-state that leverages technology, enhances livability, and adapts to global challenges. The themes encompass various sectors such as urban planning, transportation, environment, and economic growth, shaping the vision for Singapore's development up to the year 2040. One of these themes is “physical constraints are inescapable.”

The World in 2040: The future of healthcare, mobility, travel and the home by Allianz Partners provides an overview of the megatrends shaping the 21st century. It highlights key factors such as demographic changes, technological advancements, climate change, and shifting economic power. The report explores the implications of these megatrends, one of which is 'asymmetric global population explosion' which looks at the unequal negative relationship of population growth in relation to available resources.

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The Future of Mining in Latin America: Critical Minerals and the Global Energy Transition by

Climate and Green Growth Strategic Framework- Projecting Africa's Voice- Strategy- 2021-2030 by

A Circular Water Future: White Paper on Water Reuse by

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