How is sustainability defined within the text?
There are a variety of definitions of the Sustainability within the text from a variety of different theorists. Some who believe a similar idea or completely contrasting ideas.
There are a variety of definitions of the Sustainability within the text from a variety of different theorists. Some who believe a similar idea or completely contrasting ideas.
Sustainability is often defined as inter and intra-generational. The communal equality between all within the; social, environmental, economic, moral and political spheres of society. This communal sustainability is based on our generation and generations to come. Having people live their lives within an environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Brundtland Commission's Our Common Future defines sustainability as 'sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs', leading to the decision that sustainability is the interrelationship between 'human needs' and 'human productive capacities'. Both involving social interaction and the state of technology.
Another definition by Donella Meadows, who attempts to address what is being said by Brundland Commission's, 'a sustainable society is one that can persist over generations, one that is far- seeing enough, flexible enough, and wise enough not to undermine either its physical or social systems of support' This definition recognises the importance of intergenerational equity, much the same as Commission's. The main differences between each definition are that one recognises the external systems; environment, human capacity to build technology, infrastructure and current economic systems.
Al Gore, another theologist, defines sustainability within his book 'The Inconvenient Truth', sustainability is a process about 'coming to terms with sustainability in all its deeply rich ecological, social, ethical and economic dimensions'.; sustainability is no longer about the salvation of nature, but the prolonging of human life and human social technological advancement and the capitalization of environmental solutions, but the perpetuation of the sustainability discourse that supports these processes, the individualization of sustainability.
Brundtland Commission's Our Common Future defines sustainability as 'sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs', leading to the decision that sustainability is the interrelationship between 'human needs' and 'human productive capacities'. Both involving social interaction and the state of technology.
Another definition by Donella Meadows, who attempts to address what is being said by Brundland Commission's, 'a sustainable society is one that can persist over generations, one that is far- seeing enough, flexible enough, and wise enough not to undermine either its physical or social systems of support' This definition recognises the importance of intergenerational equity, much the same as Commission's. The main differences between each definition are that one recognises the external systems; environment, human capacity to build technology, infrastructure and current economic systems.
Al Gore, another theologist, defines sustainability within his book 'The Inconvenient Truth', sustainability is a process about 'coming to terms with sustainability in all its deeply rich ecological, social, ethical and economic dimensions'.; sustainability is no longer about the salvation of nature, but the prolonging of human life and human social technological advancement and the capitalization of environmental solutions, but the perpetuation of the sustainability discourse that supports these processes, the individualization of sustainability.
What are some of the main characteristics or tendencies of capitalism?
Capitalism constantly looks for new thins to commodity. It does this by subsuming not-capital markets or by intensifying internal markets. Capitalism thrives on creating, then subsuming the other. Capitalism is constantly, expanding, capital accumulating is never-ending. Capitalism is not a simplistic linear system in which subsumes singular items. Rather it’s a diverse web that is continuously expanding and trapping things.
Try to define a ‘crisis of capitalism’
A crisis of capitalism is when a passage, which is a turning point in every systemic cycle of accumulation crossing two phases. Firstly the material expansion to the second phase which is financial expansion. When every capitalism cycle reaches its limits, it reinvents itself preventing it from stopping or collapsing. An example of this is the current environmental crisis. The new green market has opened up, with products being produced such as 'greenwashing' that haven't been proven to be ecologically friendly, its just a new way for capitalism to profit on a crisis.
What solutions have been offered to the sustainability question? Are these successful/realistic? – if not why are they flawed?
Bio-Diesel in an alternative ‘clean’ fuel that, is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to regular diesel fuel. Use of bio-diesel results in lower emissions and a longer engine life, due to the lower restraint bio-diesel puts on engines. One of the largest bio-diesel is the multi-national company BIOX Corporation.
Al Gore also states that in order to combat sustainability we need to come to terms with sustainability in all its deeply rich ecological, social, ethical and economic dimensions.
Al Gore also states that in order to combat sustainability we need to come to terms with sustainability in all its deeply rich ecological, social, ethical and economic dimensions.
Paul Hawken has also written a book on how sustainability within the environment, this book repackages environmentalist ideas and the concept of sustainability directly into capital rhetoric. There are four points within it; Radically increase the productivity of resource use, shift biologically inspired production with closed loops, no waste, and no toxicity, shift the business model away from taking and selling things to providing the service that the thing delivers and lastly, reinvest in natural and human capital. The problem with these solutions is that it further perpetuates the cycle of capitalism and the belief within it.
Is the concept of sustainability compatible with capitalism?
No, because there are many contradictions throughout the arguments of capitalism and sustainability. Sustainability claims to be a communal concept which requires new and innovative ways to look at the world. Yet in practice it has the potential to become about individual decisions and technological innovations to delay and reinvent the ecological limitations imposed on our current lifestyle. Sustainability discourse simultaneously blames capitalism for the current environmental problems and looks to it for solutions. Sustainability also claims to promote social equality and economic prosperity, yet, again in practice, it oppresses and ostracises specific populations in order to attain its goal. One big flaw within sustainability is that it is based around society being communal but there is one big problem with this, and that is the fact that society isn't communal.
0 comments:
Post a Comment