Industries that developed long-lasting products would not last, while those generating products with short lifespans would survive easier. To a certain extent, the western economic model has blended high consumption and excessive exhaustion of resources for growth.

Unfortunately, as China experiences rapid economic growth and its people enjoy greater buying power, the consumerism-driven production model is also taking root. What would happen to all the Chinese made products – garments, household electronics items, computers, cars, mobile phones and etc, if consumers stopped craving for more and for newer versions?

We dread to think of the possible consequences, especially when China is increasingly integrated into the global economy - a slump in its industry could lead to higher unemployment, and that could lead to a contraction in domestic spending, and in turn become a challenge to the world economy.

If the world population were to all march towards this model of consumption-driven-production, it would be a tremendous threat to our mother Earth. At present, China alone is producing enough cotton material for the world's 6.5 billion people, with each getting seven meters in length; shoes produced in China are enough for one pair for every person on the planet.

If the rest of the world were to consume like the Chinese do, we would only need 0.9 Earths. The statement appears like a compliment at first glance. But considering that the Chinese population is still expanding; Chinese income and buying power are at an early stage of growth; some 900 million farmers are still practising restrained spending; many in the cities are low income groups …evidently, all the above indicate that China has a lot more room for developing consumerism-driven production. This development can be of grave concerns.

With regards to China, we should adopt the stance of pro-sustainable development and reject consumerism-driven production. On the world stage, where the talk on climate change has become heated, we should pay more attention to the argument of "shifting the blame from production countries to consuming countries".

When the developed countries undertake their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they should not breach it via imports produced in a manner detrimental to the environment. This is in the best interest of a sustainable Earth.

On the other hand, China should continue improving the environmental awareness of its citizen-- this we have a lot to learn from the developed nations. In terms of production and consumption, we need to explore a model that stresses conservation of resources and promotes measured spending. These are no easy tasks.