Amory Lovins’ Logic in Natural Capitalism
In the first chapter of Natural Capitalism, author Amory Lovins proposes a new method of capitalism that recognizes the importance of natural and human capital in the industrial system. Conventional capitalism places value only on capital that yields financial gain, and ignores the human and natural parts of the equation. Lovins points to this as the reason for many of the environmental, social, and economic problems on our planet today. He argues that the destructive practices of conventional capitalism must cease, and that a new industrial revolution must happen that will change how human beings support themselves and sustain the resources of the planet. In this chapter he
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Lovins’ contrast of sustainable methods versus destructive methods convinces the readers to agree with his claim and follow his proposed changes.
He discusses four key strategies for implementing natural capitalism; radical resource productivity, biomimicry, service and flow economy, and investing in natural capital. Radical resource productivity involves finding every way possible to increase the usage that humans get from natural resources. This lowers the cost of materials and decreases the amount of pollution due to wasteful consumption of resources. Biomimicry is the term given for modeling the mechanical processes of our industries after the self-sustaining and interdependent processes found in nature. Such a transformation would make factories more efficient and less polluting. Creating a service and flow economy means that consumers would pay for the service a product provides instead of buying the product itself. Instead of throwing away worn out products, consumers can just return them to the manufacturer, who will repair them or recycle them. Investing in natural capital means that corporations value living systems. In this sort of system, logging companies would value not only the lumber that they harvest, but the forest habitat where the trees came from as well. This gives companies motivation to not strip a forest bare because they now profit from a thriving forest habitat. This Lovins calls these points “the basis of
The bizarre economy that we live in has affected us in many ways than our simple mind can fathom. After World War II there was massive push in innovation. Human were gifted with inventions like the Airplane, color T.V., polyvinyl cups, and precooked dinners. Nevertheless, these “gifts” came at an enormous cost. That cost was pushed onto the environment and people living in that environment. “The Market Economy” by Marge Piercy illustrates the movement in American aimed at bring attention to a global problem as well as an effort to save the planet along with the people living on it.
Putting a higher value on nature is a step towards the creation of a green economy. Jobs are created on better terms locally and the people can work together, with a better cleaner water supply.
The word ‘sustainable’ has been chosen as a second criterion, as the philosophy sets out to be
Instead of focusing on the individual, “ecological economics invites us to picture ourselves not as isolated individuals but as housemates” (McFague 132). This model has two goals striving for sustainability and distributive justice which will allow for the earth’s resources to be sustained for future generations. McFague feels that the ecological economic system will provide an efficient system that will suit and support the needs of the world.
In Juliet Schor’s True Wealth, she presents, argues for, and envisions an economy, which stresses on the conceptualization of plentitude. In her publication, the main points can be broken down into three separate categories: challenges, the ideals of plentitude, and the four fundamentals or solution towards plentitude. The collection of formal analysis and insight towards key economical concepts and data serves as a concrete foundation for her proposed framework of a sustainable economic and environmental future.
In Capital, Karl Marx reveals the ugly truth that capitalism lays on the foundation of class exploitation. Without such exploitation, there is no profit to be made and capitalism will cease to exist. Capitalism, which relies on the reproduction of capital, creates and concentrates wealth to a small portion of society’s population while reproducing poverty and widening the size of inequality.
By definition, Capitalism is an economic system controlled chiefly by individuals and private companies instead of by the government. In this system, individuals and companies own and direct most of the resources used to produce goods and services, including land and other natural resources labor, and "capital". "Capital" includes factories and equipment and sometimes the money used in businesses (Friedman, 5).
Not Business As Usual is a documentary that explores the beginnings of “conscious capitalism” and its unintentional price of success. The film offers an alternative view of businesses by tracking the movement of a few entrepreneurs that aspire to include social and environmental considerations in addition to seeking profit in their businesses. A free market for goods and services, capitalism is substantial. It drives innovation, progress, and prosperity. However, should “profit” be the only metric to measure success?
Capitalism has been the subject of ethical criticism since it was first introduced into society. I defend the morality of capitalism because it gives people incentive to work, establishes a web of trust between them, satisfies their material well-being, and generates a wide spectrum of prosperity.
Lomborg’s claim relates directly to the issue of global sustainability. With a growing global population and an ever increasing demand for natural resources, the future of sustainability relies on our current consumption and management of natural resources. Non-renewable resources must be properly inventoried
Capitalism started up as a system of investing and sharing money in order to increase the value of resources in the future. Capitalism was just an economic system, but then soon turned into a complex system of ethical practices. Harari defines capitalism as, “a set of teachings about how people should behave, educate their children and even think” (Harari 314). This economic system evolved along with the people that were endorsing it. Capitalism enables the rich to get richer, while the poor continue to get poorer. There are many benefits to capitalism, but there are downfalls as well, and these downfalls tend to be masked because of the rapid speed capitalists grow at. Harari first presents a definition for capitalism, and soon goes into great detail on why capitalism, while fast paced and unforgiving, is able to stand unwavered while other productions fail.
By definition, Capitalism is an economic system controlled chiefly by individuals and private companies instead of by the government. In this system, individuals and companies own and direct most of the resources used to produce goods and services, including land and other natural resources labor, and “capital”. “Capital” includes factories and equipment and sometimes the money used in businesses (Friedman, 5).
With the commodification of natural resources, there becomes a dependency between those who control the resources and all those who need to use them. At this stage of society people are no longer self-sufficient, but rely upon the network of society to provide food, shelter and jobs (Rousseau). At this level of society, the founders most often control the resources and begin to live in excess compared to the rest of the populace.
Capitalism leads to the creation of unprecedented wealth, advanced technology, and wide prosperity. Yet capitalism is denounced as a system of greed, materialism, and ruthless dog-eat-dog competition
In a culture based on consumption and consumerism businesses are the forefront of society providing every good and service imaginable. Although, in today’s society there has been an increase in significant issues concerning the ecology of our planet that have come along with this consumer culture. With issues such a lack of clean water, lack of food, lack of energy and a rapid decline in biodiversity. This rapid decline in natural resources is due to mostly to the over consumption and alteration of the planet and its resources. Where do we start though in the process to protect and preserve our resources? It starts with the very businesses that we all buy from; a major part of our everyday lives and the largest consumers of resources businesses can play a large role in sustainability and climate action. Increasing pressure is being put on businesses to create a more sustainable society, this is being done through many business sustainable business efforts.