by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The earth faces bankruptcy because people are consuming the resources of three-and-a-half planets.

Like a business that earned £50 a month and spent £175, it would go bust, claimed Jae Mather at a meeting of Kent Construction Focus Group.

The director of sustainability at the Carbon Free Group, based in St Margaret’s Bay, near Dover, used business to illustrate the truth about climate change and resource depletion.

The UK was only 55% self-sufficient in food and there were worldwide shortages as population growth and natural disasters affected output.

“The human race has never been more exposed than it is right now,” he said at The Village Hotel, Maidstone. “We’re completely at the mercy of random changes.”

Banks were holding on to money, putting the economy at risk of greater collapse than ever. “We’re perpetuating the systems that are failing,” he said.

“We’re pushed into making more money. Our financial system is designed to destroy the world, not to help it. You make great money if you rape and pillage. You make mediocre money if you don’t and therefore the brightest, the smartest and most powerful rape and pillage.”

The scientist said: “We are living as if there are three and a half planets. We’re using as many resources as though we are three and a half. If you had £50 and every month spent £175, you’re going to go bankrupt.”

“Sustainable business is just common sense. This is about decreasing inefficiencies, about making your business lean, not wasting resources, making sure your brand isn’t at risk. This is about quality versus quantity. The biggest risk is not taking risks. “

“I find it really appalling that this country is falling victim to the introverted, risk-averse, I’m-scared-of-making-mistakes culture. Sustainability is about having wisdom built into the way you behave.”