Home-Sustainability Perspectives

Gore's New Sustainable Capitalism Manifesto

2012-02-22T19:46:50Z

Read the article in the Economist.

Shining a light on the linkage between the short term and long term profitability, particularly when short term actions reduce or obliterate the long term, is the critical point.

One curious aspect is that discussions about carbon pricing are often conducted as if humans have the choice! As any economist knows, there is no free lunch. We either fully reflect real prices in the human

No-Carbon Economy by 2050

2012-02-22T19:42:55Z

RMI's Reinventing Fire Initiative: Whole Program (go here). Building Sector Video (5 mins).

Also, article by Amory Lovins.

Vancouver - World's First Green City?

2012-02-22T19:41:28Z

From Where? Deconstructing the I-Phone & Electronics

2012-01-30T17:29:36Z

Mother Jones Magazine provides a short answer to this one. Read the short article and check out their interactive graphic.

With globalization, variations on the enclosure movements, and deep poverty from fundamental Malthusian trends (population outstrips resources, at some point), the

Microplastic Bioaccumulation from Synthetic Clothing Discovered in Food Chain -- Another On-Going Sustainability Violation

2012-01-29T18:58:15Z

New research from UCSB (see BBC) reveals consistent pollution patterns of microplastics around the world, with higher concentrations at beaches located near sewage disposal points. This violates one principle for a sustainable society in the biosphere--the systematic accumulation of compounds that natural cycles cannot break down. The violation creates business risks for firms and reveals economic distortion and inefficiency. Smart firms will self-regulate through innovation to sustitute materials and processes that eliminate pollution. For all others, regulations should be passed to protect human health and spur the innovation industry-wide to correct a source of distorting, uneconomic activity related to imperfect price signals. Doing so will strengthen the economy and move towards sustainability.

Petroleum Production Peaked in 2005

2012-01-26T21:12:43Z

A new analysis concludes that easily extracted oil peaked in 2005, suggesting that dirtier fossil fuels will be burned and energy prices will rise. Read the Scientific American Article.

131 Years of Global Warming in 27 Seconds & the Fallacy of Adaptation

2012-01-25T17:20:35Z

See the visualized data map here. The public policy mantra on global warming has shifted in the last few years from mitigation, which is viewed as impractical, to adaptation, which is viewed as smart and practical.

If only! The problem with such a "positive, constructive, boosterism" framing of the challenge of catastrophic climate change is that full mitigation (full societal mobilization/innovation to stay below 1, 2 at most, degrees C average surface temperature warming), is our best and only shot at success. Even that success is uncertain.

Governments' Oil Subsidies Increase Debt & Accelerate Catastrophic Climate Change

2012-01-19T22:49:06Z

A recent 3-minute brief from the Earth Policy Institute states that global public sector subsidy of the oil industry amounts to $500 billion per year. This spending increases public debt and accelerates catastrophic climate change. Should this be de-factor government policy in an age of catastrophic climate change when accurate understanding and a meaningful and sufficient response is nowhere to be seen?

World Turns Back on Enlightenment -- Implications for Sustainability?

2012-01-12T04:34:02Z

This article in the Guardian, argues that the world is turning its back with increasing frequency on its core enlightenment values.

Given that an effective response to the sustainability challenge hinges on extending core enlightenment values, the article illuminates one "sticky" source of resistance and reaction to sustainability proposals, or does it?

IEA Says 5 Years Left Before We "Lock In" Perilous Climate Change

2011-11-10T23:46:20Z

Vancouver Sun, AFP, Nov 9, 2011

PARIS - The world has just five years to avoid being trapped in a scenario of perilous climate change and extreme weather events, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned on Wednesday .

On current trends, "rising fossil energy use will lead to irreversible and potentially catastrophic climate change," the IEA concluded in its annual World Energy Outlook report.