Changing, But Not in Decline: Globalization From a Sociometabolic Perspective

From the climate crisis to biodiversity loss, interrelated crises of society–nature relations are linked to global growth in resource use, extractive expansion, and unequal distribution. Next to critical research on the socioeconomic issues of (de)globalization, a sociometabolic perspective on the extraction and trade of material and energy resources is therefore needed. Material extraction has surged dramatically since 1970, tripling from 31 Gigatons (Gt) to 96 Gt by 2019. The share of that extraction destined for trade has also increased. Fossil fuel usage in the global energy system has continued to rise, reaching a staggering 490 Exajoules in 2019. Because fossil fuels are not ubiquitously available, maintaining the fossil energy system requires trade. From a sociometabolic perspective, globalization is not in decline. Recently, however, global growth has coincided with new patterns in income-based country groupings, which this article details. But even as these patterns change, material and energy use remain globalized.