|
Evidently, economic systems are the most productive subset of ecological systems; they must then maintain or expand natural capital. Sustainability is not concerned with growth that destroys natural capital because growth as a measure of economic activity is ecological malignancy. However, a steady state, sustainable economy must be business, industry and humanity’s goal.
III. ‘ECOLOGISM’ AS BASIS FOR ECONOMISM
On the other hand Catharina points out that politicians, economists and technocrats in Western society speak of “ecologism,” that is, “the absolutizing of nature and environment” as a distinctive ecological pillar to sustainability and fundamental to the economic prosperity nations hanker for. It proceeds by making clear that the natural environment is the baseline physical reality upon which human advancements – in their entirety – are utterly dependent.
Ecologism comes into our structure not just as basic to life on Earth for, at least, a few more generations, but also as a surefire guarantor of the economic heft states desire. It is possible to summarize my opinions in this section thus: “No ecology, No economy.” There will be NO economy if ecosystems collapse! It’s as simple as that. This is the fundamental flaw of the growth machine mentality that threatens global ecological sustainability and a collapse of both ecosystems and economies. It may be “criminally negligent” to deny the human impact on ecosystems plagued by climate change, but I’m certain of how unsustainable it is to maintain the pursuit of material well-being at the expense of our very existence. Do we realize how much we have borrowed from the survivability of generations to come? A natural debt which we can start paying – with bits of sacrifice now, or mayhem and global ecocide later.
The heart of this worldwide ecological crisis is that too many people are consuming too much and their economic developments have brutally diminished our natural environment. Human populations surpass what the Earth can bear, the planet system’s geochemical cycling of energy and nutrients has been ripped apart, and consequently, the natural system which provides habitat for humans is failing. These crystallize the need to reduce human population on our own accord or the Earth will do so for us. Global limits should be placed on the number of children born, beginning by using incentives such as tax benefits for smaller families. This will help to limit the pressure on nature’s capacity to withstand man’s brutal ecological footprints.
The signs are pervasive. Mother Nature is ailing. Environmental devastation is real, is happening now, and is the political, social,
economic and ecological challenge of all time. Increasingly erratic and dangerously extreme weather will impact most of us – perhaps only excluding the super rich – in a myriad of ways; ranging from agricultural decline, to flooding, to deadly heat waves. Our consumption patterns make matters worse by virtually impacting all ecosystems, giving rise to toxic food chains, depleted water, soil loss, natural forest clearing and reduction of ecosystems’ ability to hold carbon.
Indeed, this climate change we speak of isn’t just another issue in this complicated world of proliferating issues. It’s the issue that, unchecked, will swamp all others. The preponderance of evidence that climate change is causing more extreme weather events, and other demonstrable impacts of global warming, makes acting now to protect nature a matter of prudence and sound judgment. Our response will determine the extent and seriousness of droughts, mudslides, super storms, melting glaciers, sea rise, agricultural collapse and forest die-back which are now upon us.
These show that the future of humanity lies in the balance - we shall either change our ways by encouraging respect and reverence for nature and environment, and evolve, or suffer a hell on Earth and a grisly death of civilization. By the destruction of the environment, humanity is ensuring it has no future and no prosperity nor economy. The task of our time is to stop the destruction, restore the damage, using every tool at our disposal to seek global ecological sustainability. Absent ecologism as well as an immediate major surge in ecological based policies in virtually every human realm, there is little hope of the Earth and humanity regaining a state of balance.
IV. A PROGRAM FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
To achieve the change to sustainability therefore, is it exactly possible to make “a choice” between the two directions presented to us? With all due respect to Catharina Halkes’ hypothesis, my opinion favours a yes but no. Yes because there is a possibility of choosing responsibly between either paths since both are quite capable of leading to the desired end. But no because the way I see it, economism brings innovation while ecologism brings conservation: both are equally indispensable ingredients for sustainability.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Writer Profile
Terhemba Aindigh
Terhemba Aindigh is currently with the Nigerian National Youth Service Corps. Having obtained a first degree in International Relations at Covenant University, Nigeria, with a flair for writing professionally, Terhemba enjoys making commentaries on issues that command worldwide relevance.
His essays have earned him an enviable reputation both nationally and internationally. Some of his writings have ensured his active participation in international conferences like the prestigious St. Gallen Symposium, South American Business Forum, and the Model World Trade Organization. He has also been awarded for exceptional writing by the World Bank and the World Federation of United Nations' Associations.
Most recently, Terhemba was announced as one of the 15 winners of an international essay, video and poster competition sponsored by the World Federation of United Nations Associations. This ensured his participation in the Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World Seminar, held at the United Nations Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. Consequently, he and the other winners were inspired to birth a global anti-nuclear weapons youth network.
As a founding member of the Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World Youth Initiative, Terhemba and his colleagues have taken up the immense responsibility to help in realizing a world free of nuclear weapons.
At present, he is doing what he loves to do best: writing more essays to compete in the likes of the Japanese Foreign Trade Council and Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library essay competitions, amongst others.
His ultimate ambition is to attain the heights of great men like Kofi Annan, who have made no little contribution to ensuring that our world is peaceful and just.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
