I read recently that if everyone on the planet lived with a Rwandan standard of living, Earth could feasibly support a population of 15 billion. But if everyone lived with a North American standard of living, Earth could only support 1.2 billion humans.
The trouble is, everyone wants the better standard of living and no one seems to want to stop breeding...
Well the North American standard of living is based on debt.
It might collapse any given day.
I think as we evolve to a better standard of living we will make better use of natural resources.
After all the market sets the prices, we wouldn't be driving around in ICE cars if gas was 100$ a gal.