| Abstract: | A brief review of the studies that have brought about awareness of the limits of natural resources is followed by an examination of the prospects of population increases and demand for food, water and energy in the North and South of the world. For physical and thermodynamic reasons the production and consumption of increasing quantities of material goods is accompanied by the depletion and deteriorating quality of the resources left for future generations. Only a decrease in the consumption of goods and energy in the North of the world will enable the South to have sufficient natural resources to free itself from poverty and set out on the path leading to human development. |
