Taxing resources in high consumption countries

Global resource consumption is unsustainable. Resources need to be used more efficiently in order to live within the Earth's carrying capacity. One suggestion is to wholly or partially replace existing taxes with taxing energy and other resources with the principle of the "user pays", or in other words the more you consume the more you pay. Taxing increasingly resource wasteful processes at progressively higher rates will provide a strong economic incentive for consumers to adopt more energy efficient technologies and patterns of consumption. Pollution is also taxed since it is a major form of resource waste. This should lead to decreased pollution and increased recycling of by-products. Other benefits in the event of becoming more resource efficient can include substantial long-term consumer savings, increased competitiveness, and more durable products.