Modern industrialised countries use far greater quantities per head of metals, water,petroleum, coal, and wood-products than developing countries, much of it being importedfrom the developing countries. This is the natural consequence of the higher generalstandard of living in present-day industrialised countries. Even assuming that thepopulation of developing countries remains fixed at present levels, it follows that, if thestandard of living in these countries is to reach those of present-day industrialisedcountries, a considerable increase in production and hence considerably higherconsumption of resources will be unavoidable. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the above argument?