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Which countries are the most sustainable in terms of natural resource usage?

Hyman Wagerfield

Hey there!

That's a really interesting question! When it comes to natural resource usage, there are definitely some countries that are doing better than others in terms of sustainability.

One organization that tracks this sort of thing is the Global Footprint Network. They use something called an "ecological footprint" to measure how much of the earth's resources a country is using, and compare that to how much the earth can actually sustainably provide.

According to their data from 2018 (the latest available as of this writing), the top five most sustainable countries in terms of natural resource usage are:

1. Costa Rica - This small Central American country has been making a big effort to protect its natural resources, with a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2021. Nearly all of its electricity comes from renewable sources, and a quarter of its land is designated as protected areas.

2. Mexico - Mexico has a large economy and population, but it has also made strides in sustainability. It is the world's largest producer of wind power, and has also recently implemented a carbon tax.

3. Colombia - Colombia has a lot of natural resources, but has also been dealing with conflict and deforestation in recent years. Nevertheless, it has set ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting its forests.

4. Ecuador - Ecuador is home to the Galapagos Islands, which are renowned for their unique ecosystems. The country has set a goal of "good living," which prioritizes social and environmental well-being over economic growth.

5. Peru - Peru has a huge variety of ecosystems, from the Andes mountains to the Amazon rainforest. It has made notable progress in reducing deforestation and protecting indigenous rights.

Of course, there are many other countries that are also doing good work in terms of sustainability - these are just a few examples. It's also worth noting that natural resource usage is just one aspect of sustainability, and there are many other factors to consider as well.

I hope that helps answer your question - let me know if you have any other sustainability-related queries!

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