Final answer:
The US population growth and a much larger increase in raw materials usage from 1900 to 1989 suggests a significant increase in consumption per person in the US during this period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The information that while the US population tripled from 1900 to 1989, the amount of raw materials used increased by a factor of 17 suggests that there was an increased consumption of resources during this time period. This trend is reflective of the rapid industrial growth, the expansion of infrastructure, and technological advancements contributing to higher productivity and output. The rise in the use of raw materials was much greater than the rate of population growth, indicating that the average consumption per person significantly increased, rather than indicating increased sustainability, decreased consumption, or stable consumption.