Explain how the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources account for the current environmental crisis.
In the early days of civilization, the demand for environmental resources was much less than their supply. The rate of resource extraction was less than the rate of regeneration, and pollution remained within the absorptive capacity of the environment, so environmental problems did not arise.
However, with the population explosion and the advent of the industrial revolution, the demand for resources for both production and consumption exceeded the rate of regeneration. This has led to a reversal of supply-demand relationship — there is now an increased demand for environmental resources and services, but their supply is limited due to overuse. The pressure on the absorptive capacity has increased tremendously, pushing us towards an environmental crisis.
Explanation
This answer draws directly from the textbook context which explains the historical shift in supply-demand dynamics. Initially, when civilization began, demand was less than supply because extraction rates were below regeneration rates. The industrial revolution and population growth reversed this relationship. Now demand exceeds supply as resources are being used faster than they can regenerate, and waste exceeds the environment's absorptive capacity. This reversal is the core reason for the current environmental crisis.