There is a common perception that global warming is being caused by economic expansion. This is backed up by a ton of research conducted over many years. In its renowned report The Limits of Growth, which was released fifty years ago, the Club of Rome made the case that, absent significant changes in consumption habits, environmental deterioration and resource depletion would cause a catastrophic drop in population and living standards.
Population has more than doubled since the study, reaching 8 billion people now, while incomes have increased globally, driving up consumption. This expansion has unfortunately resulted in a decrease in practically all environmental indicators.
