"The frog does not drink up the pond in which it lives."

Sadly, the wisdom of this old Chinese proverb appears to have been largely forgotten. The world's seven billion humans are drinking up the planet's resources in ever-greater quantities, draining Earth's pond of the very stuff that sustains human life.

Today, we consume more resources than at any point in human history. The amount of stuff we use in order to meet our needs has exploded. In our pond, a growing number of humans are all clamoring for more space and a greater share of dwindling resources. This is clearly not viable. We are sleepwalking toward a world where what we need to survive and thrive is in short supply.

Last week, we passed a troubling milestone: the day when humanity used up all of the renewable natural resources that the planet can replenish in a year. Known as Earth Overshoot Day, this day arrived five days earlier than last year. It's a disturbing sign. Humanity's consumption of renewable natural resources continues to rise despite the dangers to the environment and ourselves.

We can see the impact of this consumption here in China. China has zoomed past America to become the largest car market in the world. This example is terrific news for the Chinese economy, whose success in recent decades has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. But the news is not as good for the country's pollution levels, which frequently reach dangerous highs in many cities and harm the health of millions of people. It's also a short-term economic benefit. Long-term economic drawbacks arise as well, such as restrictions on production and traffic circulation, and health costs from pollution.

We have witnessed the number of middle-income consumers double to 2.4 billion worldwide in the last two decades. This boom brings with it an unprecedented appetite for goods and places an even heavier burden on the world's natural resources.

In light of these trends, it is clear that how we choose to live as individuals – how we power our homes, what we eat, what cars we drive, how we choose to spend our money – has the power to reshape the planet.

One simple fact underlines this. If the whole world switched to energy-efficient lighting tomorrow it would reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 530 million tonnes annually, equivalent to shutting down 154 coal-fired power plants each year. While this change could be accelerated with government action, each and every one of us can make a difference by doing something as simple as changing a light bulb.

Consumers around the world are aware of this need for change. In Europe, 72 per cent of consumers surveyed say they are willing to buy green products, like energy efficient light bulbs.

But few actually do. In reality, only 17 per cent follow through on this good intention. This gap between intent and action urgently needs to be overcome.

A large part of the solution is clearly to change consumer behavior. That's why this week's China Sustainable Consumption Week is so important. More than 900 stores, including major retailers like Shanghai City Shop, RT-MART, GOME Home Appliance Electricity and Rainbow Department, joined forces to promote this year's theme – "Green Life, Consume with Wisdom" – in order to raise awareness about sustainable consumption. Hundreds of thousands of consumers participated in activities in more than 90 cities to learn about eco-labelling, efficient lighting, organic food, low-carbon transport and sustainable seafood.

There are other encouraging signs that society is beginning to understand the importance of living sustainably. Carbon footprinting, food waste reduction campaigns, reducing use of plastic bags and packaging, urban gardening and vehicle sharing are all catching on, and shifting how and what we consume.

Yet living sustainably is not only about individual choice. It is also about ensuring that governments and businesses support people moving toward sustainable lifestyles. Here again, consumers can make a difference. By buying green, consumers show leaders they desire green policy. China's market for electric cars offers an example. Consumer demand for this new technology is booming. Can the government respond with policy that supports this demand, such as better charging infrastructure? This is a challenge for governments worldwide.

But ultimately the change the planet needs begins with each of us. Whether it's switching on a light, driving to work, eating lunch or choosing what clothes to buy, we need to do far more to understand the impact that our everyday decisions have on the environment. Then, we need to change our habits accordingly by choosing the sustainable option. And if that option is not available, we must demand greater choice, and encourage governments and business to support those choices.

If we can do this – if we can find a way to become more like the proverbial frog – then we can we begin to replenish the pond in which we live.

Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

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