In terms of energy, the paradox can be summarized as follows:
If we cease using the power of fossil fuels, we cannot sustain industrial output,
and cannot feed the growing population.
If we keep using fossil fuels, the planet will become toxic, uninhabitable,
and human civilization cannot survive.
Note: It is doubtful that "clean" energy
can ever replace fossil fuels
unless population and consumption decrease significantly.
Reference: The Ecocosm Paradox, Willard Fey & Ann Lam, EOLSS, 2002.
"Humanity faces an ecological predicament, consisting of a cluster of concurrent, mutually reinforcing crises. They are causally intertwined and resistant to resolution in isolation. In addition to climate disruption, the cluster includes land-system change, loss of biodiversity and biosphere integrity, alteration of biogeochemical cycles, and decreased freshwater availability. Madison Powers argues for a targeted human rights approach to the resolution of our predicament. He assigns priority to a bundle of rights strategically important for counteracting ecologically unsustainable, economically predatory market practices. These practices exhaust natural resources or degrade the environmental conditions essential for a livable planet. Their harmful ecological effects result from or are exacerbated by the structure of the global political economy, especially institutions that influence the acquisition, control, and use of land, energy, and water resources. These institutions shape the economic decisions that have transformed every region of the globe and altered the planetary conditions that support life on Earth.
"A livable planet thus requires changes in humanity's relation to the rest of nature, which in turn, requires transformation of our economic relationships and the political and economic ideals underpinning them. Specifically, the balance of power between states and markets should be reversed by implementing an enforceable institutional bulwark against market practices that subvert the ecological conditions essential for the secure realization of human rights. These practices enable the powerful to hoard economic opportunities, crowd out sustainable alternatives, extract resources from vulnerable communities, shift environmental and economic burdens, dodge political and market accountability, and hijack public institutions for private purposes."
Shale Oil and the Slurping Sound
Arthur Berman: "Shale Oil and the Slurping Sound" Nat Hagens,
The Great Simplification, 13 December 2023
How Can We Construct an Economics Consistent with the Biophysical Limits to Economic Growth?
For over a century economics has loosely guided the global economy’s national economies. Natural
science tells us that the climate crisis has been both caused by the global economy and ultimately
threatens its continuing existence. Because that crisis is now in an accelerating phase of visible
destruction, the economics profession may be ready to address the question:
How can we construct an economics consistent with the biophysical limits to economic growth?
This is a far bigger question than economists have ever addressed. Like astronomy after Galileo’s
peek through his telescope, it requires recreating our discipline’s foundations. In terms of Economics
101, it is a Chapter 1 problem, rather than Chapter 21. As such, it requires open reconsideration of
economics’ basic concepts and their relations.
New ISO Standard ~ ISO/IEC 42001:2023, Artificial Intelligence Management System
ISO/IEC 42001, published December 2023, is an international standard that specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Artificial Intelligence Management System (AIMS) within organizations. It is designed for entities providing or utilizing AI-based products or services, ensuring responsible development and use of AI systems.
This is the world’s first AI management system standard providing valuable guidance for the rapidly changing field of technology. It addresses the unique challenges AI poses, such as ethical considerations, transparency, and continuous learning. For organizations, it sets out a structured way to manage risks and opportunities associated with AI, balancing innovation with governance. For more information about this new standard,
click here.
A Think Tank on Innovative Communication for Social Change
Planning underway for November 2024 by Andrew Gaines of Inspiring Transition. Click here or click on the image for more information and point of contact.
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