One of the dilemmas of sustainability is in balancing the reduction of waste, fossil-based power generation and pollution with the increase in consumption of energy, food, water, and clothing caused by rising populations and wealth.
Whilst the idea of the circular economy is increasingly being seen in sustainability circles as both a realistic and increasingly essential economic model, it is fair to say that a zero-carbon society will not happen overnight.
To that end, whilst encouraging progress is certainly being made in some areas to shift the dial downwards in energy and carbon emissions, it is reasonable to predict that waste will not be eliminated in the next few years, and that oil and gas will continue to play a role as the feedstock for many of the products we consume. The unpredictability of renewable energy is also a challenge for the reliability of the power grid, and until these challenges can be solved, there will be a place for carbon-derived production.
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