I am not what you would consider the ideal environmentalist.

I haven’t gone green. I drive a gas-guzzler. I burn couches at bonfires. You get the idea.

However, global environmental threats tend to grab my attention. Accordingly, I’ve taken interest in the world’s diminishing resources. The problem is one that affects both the economy and the environment.

Since the inception of our country, the U.S. has taken pride in its ballooning economy. For the last couple hundred years, our economy and its successes have been measured by consistent growth. In America, an economy that isn’t growing is considered to be failing. That mindset is problematic.

America is not alone, either. The designs of economies across the world, in stride with the U.S., have set economic growth as highest priority.

The Chinese economy is the second largest in the world. Earlier this month, Premier Wen Jiabao, announcing a five-year economic plan, affirmed the country’s direction. According to Wen, a goal of 8 percent economic growth has been targeted for the upcoming year.

Since growth itself is contingent on increased production, economic expansion required increased use of natural resources. Every year, more and more are used to support the ever-enlarging global economy.

A paradox exists between the economy and the environment. The model of the world economy is based on continual growth, yet only a finite amount of resources can be extracted from the environment. The current rate of extraction is not only unreasonable, it’s impossible.

Timber, for example, is an integral resource in every economy. According to National Geographic, over 80 percent of the Earth’s natural forests have already been destroyed. Since a wide majority of the world’s plants and animals inhabit forests, habitats are destroyed as well. Eventually, the native plant and animal species disappear just as their environments do.

Deforestation is just one of many issues that accompanies a constant growth format. Overpopulation and pollution in all areas of the world also play major roles in the destruction of the environment. Global product manufacturing has also exceeded environmentally stable tempo.

For many, the consequences of our expansion-based system are just beginning to break the surface. Efforts such as the Go Green Initiative have helped. The significant problem is within the design of the economy. The very idea of economic success rests on proliferation. The world cannot sustain such a structure.

However, there is no immediate remedy. Correcting the problem would require substantial changes to the essence of America, as well as the rest of the world.

While the issue of unsuitable economic growth is just coming to light, I believe it will take on substantial international prominence in the near future. The problem will likely fall into the hands of the up-and-coming generation, as environmental awareness becomes vitally important.

My generation will have to make decisions that could crucially affect the course of history. In a sense, I’m okay with Michigan’s struggling economy. I don’t mind that it’s not expanding exponentially. Across the globe, the environment could benefit from a little less growth.

We don’t need the economy to skyrocket. To be frank, we can no longer afford it. The Earth cannot support the infinitely growing global mold of economics. A change to our economic framework is imminent.