Role of Medicine for the Alleviation of Resource Scarcity

Despite technological progress, humanity suffers from (at least) two ills: it operates beyond planetary biophysical limits and continues to face unmet needs. This paper explores the intersection of medicine, economic wellbeing and ecological sustainability in the context of global resource scarcity. A conceptual classification of resource use – reasonable, wasteful, and negative externality-induced – is introduced to better understand the consumption and production forces shaping resource scarcity. Then I explore how medicine focused on prevention and reversal can reduce resource scarcity: by shifting consumption patterns toward healthier and more sustainable lifestyles, it both augments the human and non-human resource base of the economy and reduces demand for resource-intensive and environmentally damaging uses. Thus, it is concluded that Preventive and Reversive Medicine is a powerful (albeit unacknowledged) extant technology that simultaneously reduces resource scarcity and increases well-being and, critically, contributes to the disassociation of human well-being from environmental impact. The (wanted) side-effect of this process is more leeway for the global economy to provide a good life to all within planetary limits. This, I suggest, is essentially the ‘Consumption and Production Medicine’ that humanity needs.