Bankrupting Nature

Denying Our Planetary Boundaries

Business & Finance, Economics
Cover of the book Bankrupting Nature by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström ISBN: 9781136263934
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: February 11, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
ISBN: 9781136263934
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: February 11, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This powerful book shows us that we are in deep denial about the magnitude of the global environmental challenges and resource constraints facing the world. Despite growing scientific consensus on major environmental threats as well as resource depletion, societies are largely continuing with business as usual, at best attempting to tinker at the margins of the problems. The authors argue that regardless of whether governments respond to the economic crisis through additional stimulus packages or reduced government spending, environmental and resource constraints will remain. The crisis will be exacerbated by the combination of climate change, ecosystem decline and resource scarcity, in particular crude oil. The concept of Planetary Boundaries is introduced as a powerful explanation of the limits of the biosphere to sustain continued conventional growth.

The book breaks the long silence on population, criticizing donor countries for not doing enough to support the education of girls and reproductive health services. It is shown that an economy built on the continuous expansion of material consumption is not sustainable. De-growth, however, is no solution either. The growth dilemma can only be addressed through a transformation of the economic system. A strong plea is made for abandoning GDP growth as the key objective for development. The focus should instead be on a limited number of welfare indicators. The trickle-down concept is seriously questioned, to be replaced by one of sufficiency. Rich countries are called upon to hold back their material growth to leave room for a rising living standard among the poor. Alternative business models are presented, such as moving from products to services or towards a circular economy based on re-use, reconditioning and recylcing – all with the aim of facilitating sustainable development.

A Report to the Club of Rome

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This powerful book shows us that we are in deep denial about the magnitude of the global environmental challenges and resource constraints facing the world. Despite growing scientific consensus on major environmental threats as well as resource depletion, societies are largely continuing with business as usual, at best attempting to tinker at the margins of the problems. The authors argue that regardless of whether governments respond to the economic crisis through additional stimulus packages or reduced government spending, environmental and resource constraints will remain. The crisis will be exacerbated by the combination of climate change, ecosystem decline and resource scarcity, in particular crude oil. The concept of Planetary Boundaries is introduced as a powerful explanation of the limits of the biosphere to sustain continued conventional growth.

The book breaks the long silence on population, criticizing donor countries for not doing enough to support the education of girls and reproductive health services. It is shown that an economy built on the continuous expansion of material consumption is not sustainable. De-growth, however, is no solution either. The growth dilemma can only be addressed through a transformation of the economic system. A strong plea is made for abandoning GDP growth as the key objective for development. The focus should instead be on a limited number of welfare indicators. The trickle-down concept is seriously questioned, to be replaced by one of sufficiency. Rich countries are called upon to hold back their material growth to leave room for a rising living standard among the poor. Alternative business models are presented, such as moving from products to services or towards a circular economy based on re-use, reconditioning and recylcing – all with the aim of facilitating sustainable development.

A Report to the Club of Rome

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Deleuze on Music, Painting, and the Arts by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book A Mind of One's Own by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book The Dilemma of Faith in Modern Japanese Literature by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Henrietta Maria by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Classroom Environment (RLE Edu O) by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Journalism’s Lost Generation by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Southern Africa in World Politics by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Literary Texts and the Greek Historian by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Contemporary Issues in California Archaeology by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book From Babylon to Eternity by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book New Dimensions in Photo Processes by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Interpreting Landscapes by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Information Warfare by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book The Voyages of Sir James Lancaster to Brazil and the East Indies, 1591-1603 by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book The Role of the Military in Politics by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy