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 An Introduction to Cybercultures by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Reframing Health Behavior Change With Behavioral Economics by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Handbook of Medieval Sexuality by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book The Three Worlds of Paul of Tarsus by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Political Oppositions in Industrialising Asia by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Political Communication in Asia by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Mock-Heroic from Butler to Cowper by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Purity and Danger by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Far-flung Lines by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book World Disasters by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book The Mid-Twentieth-Century Concert Pianist by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book The Self as Enterprise by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Rosenfeld in Retrospect by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book The Future of Events & Festivals by Anders Wijkman, Johan Rockström
Cover of the book Sentiments and Activities 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