Unfair Distribution: By 2030, a Dignified Life Could Be Built for Everyone

Particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, there is a lack of such important infrastructures, explained the researchers, who work at the Institute of Social Ecology at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Boku) Vienna, in a press release. At the same time, a large portion of material stocks is concentrated in wealthy countries, where they are often used for oversized living spaces and resource-intensive individual transport. "More than 70 percent of the globally accumulated materials serve purposes that go beyond the minimum for a decent life," said Streeck.

Unfair Resource Distribution Problematic

"Globally, according to our analyses, the problem is not the lack of infrastructure, but its unfair distribution," he says. If building materials are used where they are most needed, with an additional twelve percent of materials (compared to the stocks existing in 2016), it would be possible to ensure decent living standards for all people. This could include producing stoves and refrigerators to improve nutrition, houses and insulation materials for living, bicycles, cars, and roads for mobility, clothing, smartphones, and other everyday items, as well as facilities for health, education, and water supply.

"However, if the current pattern of unequal distribution in wealthy countries continues, and a large portion of materials is consumed there beyond basic needs, global material stocks in infrastructures could more than double compared to the stocks of 2016," the researchers said. "This would have massive impacts on the environment and climate," Wiedenhofer explained to APA.

(APA/Red.)

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