Bankrupting Nature

This report to the Club of Rome by authors with a background in politics and environmentalism is one of the most thorough analyses of the systemic challenges facing humanity. The title is indicative of the challenging content about denying our resource boundaries and insisting on business as usual while we continue with completely unsustainable economic growth. Unlike native Indians, our decisions are not made with the seventh generation in mind, and it is astonishing to read that over 500 international environmental agreements have been signed. As noted by other commentators, the gap is between recommendations on science and the short-term constraints of politics. We will eventually be forced into a sustainability space where per capita ecological footprint is below per capita planetary bio-capacity, currently overshooting by 40% a year. The focus of the book is on cultural and lifestyle issues and the way in which we have organised our economy in relation to ecosystem services.

Both political and environmental perspectives are represented, and the relations between them. The result is a thorough investigation of inhibiting and potentially progressive factors in moving towards a sustainable economy. In addition, new forms of the special education are required in order to help young people think in a systemic way. This is not currently the way in which universities are organised. The authors identify nine interacting planetary boundaries and devote considerable space to a discussion of climate change in relation to students. Agriculture is another critical area since the demand for food is expected to increase by 70% by 2050 and climate change may reduce yields by between 25% and 50%. Hence the need for sustainable intensification, which I do not believe will be attained through the agri-industrial model. The Arctic is, rightly in my view, highlighted as the canary in the mine. Discussion of overall temperature rises omits the data from global dimming, which suggests that there has been a 16% decrease in solar radiation reaching the Earth, which means that global warming is fact worse than it appears. The authors identify weaknesses in our economic model and suggest new forms of indicators with less emphasis on production and consumption. They outline the necessary components of a new approach based on reconnecting our societies and economies with the biosphere. Planetary solutions are essential, but as yet the necessary government structures are not in place. This is one of the best-informed overviews of our planetary situation and should be compulsory reading for all political representatives.