Signal Resource demand up tenfold in the 20th century and projected to double by 2030

Summary

The Megatrends 2040 report states that global demand for all kinds of natural resources grew tenfold during the twentieth century. It projects that demand will double again by 2030 compared with 2010. The main driver is the rising purchasing power of a growing middle class worldwide, which increases consumption of water, food, energy, land and minerals. Climate change is expected to make it harder to meet this demand, pushing resources to become scarcer and more expensive. The figures frame the report's broader warning that resource scarcity is a defining megatrend toward 2040.