As the world’s population has grown there has been a great increase in resource use.

For a long time humans survived by gathering and hunting in the local area, now most countries have nearly fully exploited their natural resources.

As technology has advanced, there have been more opportunities for countries to develop new products using raw materials.

Everyone wants a better standard of living, but this means using more energy.

Most MEDC (more economically developed countries) homes are full of electrical goods which use energy.

Once people in LEDC’s (less economically developed countries) become richer they act in the same way.