Signal Consumption shift said to raise food, water and energy demand by 35%, 40% and 50% by 2030

Summary

The Megatrends 2040 report warns that although a growing middle class can drive economic growth, it also changes how and what people consume. These shifts in consumer behaviour and consumption patterns are expected to raise demand for food by about 35%, for water by about 40% and for energy by about 50% by 2030. The projection links the middle-class megatrend directly to the report's concerns about resource scarcity. Elsewhere the report warns that demand for water, food, energy and minerals is rising mainly because of the purchasing power of an expanding middle class. Meeting these increases will add pressure on already strained natural resources and the environment.