The world is at a crossroads, facing unprecedented environmental and social challenges. The relentless pursuit of economic growth at all costs has led to a state of crisis, with the consequences of our actions becoming increasingly apparent. But amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges as the voices of environmental and social justice movements grow louder.
Despite the warnings from journalists, filmmakers, and activists, the mainstream adherence to growth economics remained steadfast. Governments, companies, and economists continued on their path of unsustainable development, ignoring the long-term impacts on the planet and future generations. However, the tides began to turn as new environmental NGOs, university departments, and government ministries started to take action, albeit slowly and half-heartedly.
In recent years, the urgency of the situation has become impossible to ignore. Global leaders like UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Pope Francis have called for an end to the “senseless and suicidal war against nature,” emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that addresses both environmental and social issues. Despite these calls to action, systemic changes have been slow to materialize, hampered by institutional blockages and short-term thinking.
The effects of climate change and biodiversity loss are no longer confined to low-income countries, with disasters like floods, fires, and droughts impacting a wider range of regions. The need for immediate and decisive action is clear, as the future of humanity hangs in the balance.
In response to these challenges, the World Future Council has been advocating for policy solutions that prioritize the well-being of all living beings, now and in the future. By identifying pathways to transform our economic systems and ensure ecological and social truth in pricing, the council aims to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
As we navigate this critical moment in history, it is essential to remember the fundamental laws of ecology outlined by Barry Commoner. These laws remind us of the interconnectedness of all living organisms and the importance of respecting nature’s inherent wisdom. By embracing these principles and implementing new accounting methodologies, we can work towards a zero-waste society that values the health of the planet above all else.
The path ahead may be challenging, but with bold action and collective determination, we can build a future that is prosperous, sustainable, and just for all. It is time to close the circle and forge a new relationship with nature that honors the laws of ecology and ensures a thriving world for generations to come. The destruction of nature, resource depletion, and pollution have long been considered an unavoidable consequence of progress. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that these issues cannot be accepted as the price of advancement. In order to achieve a world in harmony with nature, we must factor environmental externalities into national and company balance sheets, as well as the price of products.
There is a growing body of work in the field of ecological and bio-physical economics that focuses on creating a regenerative relationship between people and the planet. The term “regenerative” is used in various contexts, such as regenerative farming, development, design, nutrition, medicine, economies, and cities.
According to the UN’s outgoing leading environment and human rights expert David Boyd, the global economy’s reliance on the exploitation of people and nature is hindering efforts to save the planet. He warns that states failing to take meaningful climate action and regulate polluting industries could soon face a wave of lawsuits.
In response to these challenges, an increasing number of firms are engaged in environmental law and advocacy, often representing NGOs and supported by environmental charities. One such firm, ClientEarth, has launched numerous legal actions to protect the environment, including saving Europe’s oldest forest from destruction, facilitating environmental lawsuits in China, and challenging destructive projects such as Europe’s largest plastics project.
In 2023, ClientEarth filed a case against Shell’s board of directors for their slow transition away from fossil fuels, marking the first-ever case seeking to hold corporate directors personally liable. While the case was dismissed, it sets a precedent for future legal actions against companies that fail to address their environmental impact.
Another organization, Stop Ecocide International, is pushing for the recognition of ecocide as an international crime, holding decision-makers in industry, finance, and government accountable for the ecological and climate emergency.
Economists have long discussed the concept of externalities, but progress has been slow. However, there is a growing recognition that addressing environmental externalities at the local level, where people’s health is directly impacted, can lead to meaningful change. Policies to address issues such as smoking, asbestos pollution, and contaminated water have shown the potential for effective action.
At the national level, economists have attempted to quantify the ecological costs of economic activity since the 1980s. Recommendations for comprehensive ecological tax reforms and regulations are gradually being implemented by the European Union and other transnational bodies to stimulate the emergence of a regenerative economy.
Globalization has led to an unprecedented extraction of mineral resources, often in sensitive ecosystems like rainforests. The increase in material extraction is taking a toll on the planet, with projections indicating further growth in resource consumption. To address this, a combination of efficiency, effectiveness, and resource productivity is needed to create a sustainable economy that benefits both people and the planet.
Key policy initiatives for achieving harmony with nature include full accounting of resource costs, regenerative relationships between ecology and economy, efficient material processing, widespread adoption of renewable energy systems, and the development of well-being economics frameworks. By transitioning to regenerative systems of resource use, we can create a sustainable future that preserves the health of the planet for generations to come. In order to truly understand the self-healing qualities of living systems, we must first look to the insights of quantum physicist Erwin Schrödinger. He believed that life is not simply a process of moving from order to disorder, but rather a complex and orderly behavior of matter that cannot be fully explained by traditional physics.
One of the most striking examples of this inherent regenerative capacity in biological systems is seen in forests, soils, and aquatic ecosystems. These systems have the ability to renew themselves under the right conditions, showing us the power of nature to heal and regenerate.
On the other hand, the waste produced by modern technological processes poses a significant challenge. With products becoming increasingly complex and made up of a variety of materials, the disposal and recycling of these products has become a pressing issue. Take, for example, the challenge of dealing with materials from mobile phones and electric cars.
To address these challenges, we must consider how we can create regenerative, technical systems that work in harmony with the natural world. This requires a shift in how we value economic products and services, taking into account their full impact on society and the environment.
In order to move towards a regenerative economy, we need to implement new rules and legal instruments that incentivize decision-making based on longer time horizons, reward investments in climate protection and ecosystem regeneration, and ensure that technology choices do not have unintended consequences for nature and society.
Finding ways to live in harmony with nature is perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today. As we continue to urbanize and industrialize at unprecedented rates, it is essential that we work towards policies that promote sustainability and ecological regeneration.
Herbert Girardet, an author, filmmaker, and consultant on cultural ecology, emphasizes the importance of creating a world that values human rights, social justice, and environmental protection. By revising company laws and quantifying the true cost of ecosystem regeneration, we can begin to create a more sustainable future for all.
In conclusion, it is clear that a new understanding of the self-healing qualities of living systems is essential for creating a more harmonious relationship between humans and nature. By implementing policies that promote regeneration and sustainability, we can work towards a future where our actions support, rather than harm, the world around us.
