The world around us, and especially in the developed world, is operating within a consumer driven, capitalist economic system supported by a modernist political model in which the economic engine, with its wide open throttle for growth, has doubled the world’s economy in less than 25 years, and will double it again in less than 10.
When we look to the three columns established within the field of Sustainability we have to question if this is what is best for Planet Earth… After all, even if we reduce the per capita rate of pollution (per person / per dollar earned) the growing population and the increasing income levels associated with our economic model demand that pollution go up…The economies of the developed world are growing, and those of the developing world are demanding the right to grow along side of them.
Add to that the increasing polluting trends in the developing nations, especially China and India, and we find that the burden being placed on our planet to overstress her finite ability to absorb the toxins we are dumping on her…and to clean our air and water so that we can live longer lives…all at little or no economic charge, tax, or donation…
This growth is spewing out carbon and nitrogen at an alarming rate…into an environment that is failing, and onto a population that is living longer with most-times less quality of life, especially in the third world.
Our politicians are being driven by economic factors, sometimes greed…sometimes goals to succeed…sometimes the desire to aid our society with better perceived standards…all of which are fueling the fire.
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