How our economy is killing the earth

Taj Mahal

How our economy is killing the earth

Overflowing landfill in Kenya

Whats depleting future resources?

Lim Yi Fei M14506

Background Information
Were 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."

Article
by Charles Eisentein 28th March 2014

Article
by Charles Eisentein 28th March 2014

Real problem: Economic & Finance System Requires infinite growth to function Sustainability cannot mean sustainable growth

The Notion of Growth

Background Info (Financial Industry)

Banker Debt: $100

Farmer Loan with Interest

Banker

Banker Invest Investment not Farmer proportional receives to income money

Farmer

Farmer Return No money

money

Extra money comes from consuming: natural resources (materials) or services (wages) Infinite Growth Paradigm

The Notion of Growth

Background Info (Financial Industry)

The Notion of Growth

Background Info (Financial Industry)

Banker Debt: $100

Farmer Loan with Interest

Banker

Banker Invest Investment not Farmer proportional receives to income money

Farmer

Farmer Return No money

money

Extra money comes from consuming: natural resources (materials) or services (wages)

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

The Notion of Growth

Authors Comments

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

The Notion of Growth

Evaluation

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

The Notion of Growth

Evaluation

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

The Notions of Growth

Balance
Brazil

Developing Country

Aluminum can recycling rate: 98.2% Supported by a network of scavengers

Not as consumerist (nature of economy)

Targeting the problem

Issue #2

Targeting the problem

Authors comments

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

Targeting the problem

Evaluation & Examples

Disagree
Need to approach problem from multiple fronts Strong grassroot support

Fukushima Incident Changed all light bulbs to LED light to conserve energy Eliminated the need for 14 nuclear reactors

Scientists, writers, policymakers, citizens

Targeting the problem

Balance

Not target on crux of problem easy to veer away

Extremist vs. Deniers: confirmation bias

+
Conclusion

Whats depleting future resources?

Obsession on growth based economy Solution: Educate the people

+ Limits to Growth

Planetary Boundaries
Climate change is largely irreversible for 1000 years US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

+
Cycling culture in Netherlands

Thank you!

Extras
Examples
Waste Management

Waste Management

(JAP)

RECYCLING (SIN)

Container and Packaging Law

IUT Global shut down

99% of municipals collect steel cans despite not being obliged to do so

Semakau to be filled up in 2015

Waste Management GREEN DOT PROGRAM (GER)

Requires packaging to meet recycling requirements

No landfills since 2005

Extras
Bangladesh

Population control rigorous family planning campaign.

Fertility rate reduced from 7 to 4.5 (1990), currently 2.2