Sustainability and Unsustainable Consumption: Issues and Challenges

A customary inverse relationship exists between sustainability and unsustainable consumption by modern civilization. Natural resources, like water resources, forest resources, energy, and land resources, are exploited by different human activities, which directly affect sustainability. Unsustainable consumption relating to human behavior and activities involving the burning of fossil fuels, excess use of water, more waste generation, misuse of food, and many others has widespread impacts on sustainability and environmental integrity. This study investigates the impact of unsustainable consumption on sustainability and proposes a pathway toward achieving sustainability. It is found that there are inconsistencies and gaps between measures for sustainability and consumption practices. Individual behavior and actions are essential to transform usual practices of consumption toward a more sustainable direction. The core strategic interventions need to come from the government to alter the unsustainable consumption attitude toward sustainable consumption practices, where socioeconomic, cultural, and industry drivers are also needed.