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According to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest-growing form of domestic waste globally.

The global South has been called by the international community the graveyard of the global North’s luxury products, assuming that most e-waste generated is shipped there, supported by some reports noting that 80% of total e-waste is shipped across country borders.

Less than 20% of e-waste is formally recycled, with 80% either ending up in landfill or being informally recycled – much of it by hand in developing countries, exposing workers to hazardous and carcinogenic substances such as mercury, lead, and cadmium. E-waste in landfill contaminates soil and groundwater, putting food supply systems and water sources at risk

The environmental actions of one country can affect children in others, the report highlights the impact that countries have beyond their borders. A report by UNICEF identifies over-consumption in some of the world’s richest countries as a key driver in destroying children’s environments globally.

We are already using up our planet’s natural resources 1.7 times faster than they can be renewed, meaning we would need two Earths to meet our demand without destroying nature. If we continue on the current population and consumption trajectories, we will need three Earths by 2050.

If all 8 billion of us consumed at the level of the average citizen of the United Kingdom, we’d need 2.64 Earths. For the whole planet, the number is 1.7.

If all 8 billion of us consumed at the level of the average citizen of Nigeria, we’d need 0.69 Earths. In the US, that number is 5.13 and in Qatar, 9.02.

According to Global Carbon Atlas, the average CO2 consumption emissions per person in India is <2.

Our impact on the environment can be described as our consumption per person multiplied by our numbers.  Biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, deforestation, water and food shortage—these are all exacerbated by our huge and ever-increasing numbers. Our impact on the environment is a product of our consumption and our numbers. We must address both.

With global consumption continuing to increase, it is crucial that we embrace more sustainable economic systems and cut back on excess consumption where possible. The good news is that there are some very effective ways to reduce your personal environmental footprint.