resource exploitation, overconsumption and the flaws of our economy
TRANSCRIPT
How our economy is killing the earth
+What’s depleting future resources?Lim Yi Fei M14506
Overflowing landfill in KenyaTaj Mahal How our economy is killing the earth
+
Background Information“We’re living on this earth as if we have another one to go to”
+ Overpopulation
“By 2030, the world will need at least 50 per cent more food, 45 per cent more energy and 30 per cent more water at a time when environmental degradation is reducing new supplies."
+
Articleby Charles Eisentein
28th March 2014
+
Articleby Charles Eisentein
28th March 2014
Real problem: Economic & Finance System
Requires infinite growth to function
“Sustainability cannot mean sustainable growth”
+The Notion of Growth
Banker
• Debt: $100
Farmer
• Loan with Interest
Banker
• Invest• Farmer
receives money
Farmer
• Return money
“Extra money” comes from consuming: natural resources (materials) or services (wages)
Infinite Growth Paradigm
Background Info (Financial Industry)
Banker
• Investment not proportional to income
Farmer
• No money
+The Notion of GrowthBackground Info (Financial Industry)
The Notion of Growth
Banker
• Debt: $100
Farmer
• Loan with Interest
Banker
• Invest• Farmer
receives money
Farmer
• Return money
“Extra money” comes from consuming: natural resources (materials) or services (wages)
Background Info (Financial Industry)
Banker
• Investment not proportional to income
Farmer
• No money
“Extra money” comes from consuming: natural resources (materials) or services (wages)
+
The Notion of Growth“Achieving and sustaining such economic growth should be the central focus of national economic policy, for it would solve every problem that plagues and threatens us today.”
– Forbes Click icon to add picture
Click icon to add picture
+The Notion of Growth
“The growth imperative comes not because human needs are greater than in the past, but because the financial system requires growth.”
“We must examine all aspects … of our growth-dependent system [that] upholds … the US/European-styled society as the pinnacle of human wellbeing.”
Explanation: Absolute need vs. innate flaw of system The idea of “growth” is controversial
Author’s Comments
+The Notion of Growth
Agree: excessive focus on growth “Sustained, rapid economic growth is also the
ultimate solution to poverty, as after a couple of decades or so of such growth, the poor would climb to the same living standards as the middle class of today.”
– Forbes Economic Growth: annual rate of increase in GDP “Wealth is concentrated in the hands of few and
public services such as health and education are privatized, making them too expensive for millions of poor people and workers to afford.”
-- RT
Evaluation
+The Notion of Growth
Prioritization Trivialize impact Unwilling to take risk for game
changing actions Least risk, least disruption
Importance of state intervention Businesses: disincentive Promote consumerism Planned Obsolescence
Speeds up resource depletion
Evaluation
+The Notions of Growth
Aluminum can recycling rate: 98.2%
Supported by a network of scavengers
Not as consumerist (nature of economy)
Brazil Developing Country
Balance
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Targeting the problemIssue #2
Click icon to add picture
Click icon to add picture
+Targeting the problem
“At some point … population growth must end, but overpopulation is a diversion from more fundamental issues.”
“Population control doesn't rock the boat very much; it doesn't fundamentally alter the distribution of wealth and power today.”
Explanation: Must solve the root of the problem Else the issue will persist
Author’s comments
+Targeting the problem
Disagree Need to approach
problem from multiple fronts
Strong grassroot support Scientists, writers,
policymakers, citizens
Evaluation & Examples
Changed all light bulbs to LED light to conserve energy
Eliminated the need for 14 nuclear reactors
Fukushima Incident
+Targeting the problem
Not target on crux of problem – easy to veer away Extremist vs. Deniers: confirmation bias
Balance
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What’s depleting future resources? Obsession on growth based economySolution: Educate the people
Conclusion
+Limits to Growth
+ Planetary Boundaries
“Climate change is largely irreversible for 1000 years” – US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Thank you!Cycling culture in Netherlands
+Extras
リサイクル (JAP) Container and Packaging
Law 99% of municipals collect
steel cans despite not being obliged to do so
GREEN DOT PROGRAM (GER) Requires packaging to
meet recycling requirements
No landfills since 2005
RECYCLING (SIN) IUT Global shut down Semakau to be filled up in
2015
Examples
Waste Management
Waste Management Waste Management
+Extras
Population control – rigorous family planning campaign.
Fertility rate reduced from 7 to 4.5 (1990), currently 2.2
Bangladesh