Treadmill of Production Theory

The Treadmill of Production Theory explains how the pursuit of economic growth leads to increased resource consumption and environmental damage. As industries expand to maximize profits, they extract more natural resources and produce more waste, which strains ecosystems. This ongoing cycle resembles a treadmill: continuous effort results in progress only if the activity keeps going, but it also causes ongoing environmental harm. The theory highlights the need to rethink growth strategies to balance economic development with sustainability, emphasizing that endless expansion is unsustainable without considering ecological limits.