This article will try to draw parallels between economy and ecology, beyond the shared prefix. Wish me luck.
Unfulfilled Christmas wish lists have become commonplace (this is ancient of course, many children wish for peace on earth without a sliver of a chance of getting it). The allusion relevant here are that some countries in the Western world, for two consecutive years, did not break Christmas retail sales records, something we have been strongly encouraged to do to keep the wheels turning. This could be due to a combination of economic sluggishness and consumer awareness of environmental impact consumption. True enough, it has often been the American consumer in particular that cushioned economic slumps. Not so this time around.
The $825bn Obama stimulus package is intended to jump start a severely damaged economy and much of the countries around the globe, unable to cope by themselves, are now hoping to enjoy spin-off effects. The UK is suddenly, but perhaps not so surprisingly, prophesised to be the worst hit of the large economies. Apparently, the fantasy mortgages in Britain were even more irresponsible (some exceeding the already inflated value of the property).
Reality: our wallets are emptying faster than we can fill them. This is pretty much what is happening on a planetary level; on September 23rd 2008 we had spent more resources than the planet regenerates in one year. That meant we had a 267 to 365 days ratio, adding up to a 98 day deficit. Or a 40% overshoot which equals 1.4 planets. Ecological debt day is happening earlier every year: in 1990 it was early December, in the year 2000 it happened on the 1st of November. The first year we entered planetary debt was 1986 and since it has been accelerating. [Source: Global Footprint Network]
Each year, Global Footprint Network calculates humanity’s Ecological Footprint (its demand on cropland, pasture, forests and fisheries), and compares this with global bio capacity, the ability of these ecosystems to generate resources and absorb waste. Ecological Footprint accounting can be used to determine the exact date we, as a global community, begin living beyond the means of what the planet can regenerate in a calendar year.*
2007 could perhaps be labelled Climate Change year, with the discussion reaching the top of the global agenda billboard, making Al Gore arguably more useful as a renegade than he would have been as president, regardless of his ulterior motives or the means used -remember the private jet hoping as well paid key note speaker at conferences, talk show appearances and high profile book signings.
Studies have shown that we would need 1.4 earths to sustain our current average rate of consumption. In the midst of a northern hemisphere cold spell we got a sneak preview of the future, with negative growth figures in much of Europe and everything from record costs of heating (or even present the eastern/central European shortage of natural gas).
Just like any company, nature has a budget — it can only produce so many resources and absorb so much waste every year. The problem is, our demand for nature’s services is exceeding what it can provide.*
A way to describe our basic attitude could be a fear of speeding ticket mentality that stipulates that if we see uniforms, we slow down. If, on the other hand, we know there will be no consequences, we press down on the accelerator. In view of a multi-lateral predicament, a profound change in habits is bound to occur due to the economics of necessity and scarcity. Metaphorically, we see more police on traffic duty. With the crisis deepening, we are offered an opportunity. For some of us this means easy cynical gains through day trading stock market investment for others adjusting to a less criminal lifestyle. Ecoswitch.
* Global Footprint Network Website, click here.
