3DN Collapse
Collapse
This book explores the differences between those societies that perished through destruction of their environment and those that came to terms with the limitations of their environment. This is a cautionary tale that I take to heart and has some useful examples of how people can cooperate with natural systems.
On the other hand, I am concerned about the two general views about environmental problems. One view is that humans are entitled to as high a standard of living as they can attain and to the extent the environment suffers we will deploy technology to prevent humans from suffering. The other view is that "nature" has a limited capacity that we humans already exceed and therefore, if we wish to survive on this planet, we will have to lower our standard of living. I think there is a third approach that gives us both more hope and more flexibility.
I agree that the ecosystem of the planet is at risk. But, it seems to me, that it will be at risk until such time as humans obtain what they need and desire through systems of production that cooperate with natural processes (operate to increase biological diversity rather than diminish it). I do not agree that we are necessarily approaching any limits. We have never tried integrated systems of production such as George Chan's integrated farm management system or permaculture. Since every living thing contains within it the unlimited capacity to reproduce - and there is no shortage of the material and energy necessary for that reproduction - I believe the biological potential of the planet is a lot greater than we think.
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