Overconsumption of resources has been identified as a major cause of current environmental problems. Psychoanalysts have begun shedding light on the intrapsychic and group dynamics underlying this phenomenon. Their contributions are herein reviewed. Drive theory adds an understanding of the death instinct. Humans have inherent tendencies to destroy and use up. Harmful overconsumption occurs when psychic structures dominated by destructive instincts succeed in overpowering life-sustaining impulses. Overconsumption also functions as a defense against the awareness of death wishes. Narcissistic fixations keep individuals and groups from maturing to the point of recognizing that they must give to the environment in order to be provided for in a sustainable way.