Estimating Annual per Capita Mineral and Hydrocarbon Consumption in Ecuador Using U.S. Data as a Baseline
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to legally recognize the rights of nature, a significant step in environmental protection.This principle has been reinforced through referenda opposing resource extraction, particularly oil and mining.Despite these environmental concerns, the contribution of the extractive industry to Ecuador's economy is substantial, representing 4.4% of the national GDP and 41.73% of foreign investment in 2020.This study estimates the annual per capita consumption of minerals and hydrocarbons in Ecuador, providing an objective view of the population's reliance on these resources.Using U.S. per capita mineral consumption data from 2023 as a baseline, this study employs proportional scaling based on Ecuador's employment rate and GDP per capita.Results show that, in 2023, an average Ecuadorian consumed approximately 2,993.1 kg of minerals and metals and 2,766.55kg of hydrocarbons.These findings highlight the essential role of these resources in Ecuador's economy and daily life, contributing valuable data for discussions on sustainable resource management.
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4404144582