Sustainability and Resource UseSustainability and Resource Use

Technology:Technology:Some Preliminary ConsiderationsSome Preliminary Considerations

1. Environmental damage and environmental injustice 1. Environmental damage and environmental injustice caused by developing technologies, using them, and caused by developing technologies, using them, and disposing of their by-products, their pollutants, and disposing of their by-products, their pollutants, and ultimately the technologies themselves.ultimately the technologies themselves.

2. Social, political, and economic consequences of 2. Social, political, and economic consequences of technology development, use, and disposal.technology development, use, and disposal.

3. Measuring progress by our ability to develop and 3. Measuring progress by our ability to develop and consume technologies.consume technologies.

The Technological VisionThe Technological Vision

Progress is defined as acquiring:Progress is defined as acquiring:

1. the most numerous,1. the most numerous,2. the widest variety,2. the widest variety,3. and the very latest or most refined commodities 3. and the very latest or most refined commodities that are:that are:

a. easier to use,a. easier to use,b. more instantaneous,b. more instantaneous,c. more pervasive,c. more pervasive,d. and safer than what you d. and safer than what you presently own.presently own.

More of the Technological VisionMore of the Technological Vision

The entire world can be reduced to:The entire world can be reduced to:1. People who seek out1. People who seek out 2. natural resources 2. natural resources 3. fashioned into commodities for human 3. fashioned into commodities for human

use.use.

The goal of life becomes: Maximize possession of devices The goal of life becomes: Maximize possession of devices and consumption of commodities!and consumption of commodities!

Those who possess and consume the most are the most Those who possess and consume the most are the most affluent, and affluence becomes the goal and blueprint of affluent, and affluence becomes the goal and blueprint of the technological society. the technological society.

Technological SubversionTechnological Subversion

1. Commitment to affluence = commitment to high and 1. Commitment to affluence = commitment to high and rising “standards” of living and economic growth.rising “standards” of living and economic growth.

2. Economic activity (in terms of maximizing technology 2. Economic activity (in terms of maximizing technology and consumption) becomes more important than and and consumption) becomes more important than and subverts politics, ethics, and our own personal subverts politics, ethics, and our own personal conceptions of the good life.conceptions of the good life.

3. Is this technological good life compatible with respect 3. Is this technological good life compatible with respect for nature (environmental ethics) and respect for other for nature (environmental ethics) and respect for other people (environmental justice)?people (environmental justice)?

Technology in a Global North-South WorldTechnology in a Global North-South World

Technology transfer from the North to the South and the Technology transfer from the North to the South and the South’s emulation of the North might lead to:South’s emulation of the North might lead to:

1. Seductively rising consumption.1. Seductively rising consumption.

2. More technology developments with more negative2. More technology developments with more negative

impacts.impacts.

3. More environmental degradation.3. More environmental degradation.

4. More environmental injustice.4. More environmental injustice.

Is this sustainable?Is this sustainable?

So what is sustainability?So what is sustainability?

The ability in which something can be preserved.The ability in which something can be preserved.

Living in a way in which the environment may last for an Living in a way in which the environment may last for an infinite time and many generations may enjoy it.infinite time and many generations may enjoy it.

The effort to use minimally the resources of our world, as The effort to use minimally the resources of our world, as they are necessary to support life, without compromising they are necessary to support life, without compromising the future of said resources for future generations.the future of said resources for future generations.

To maintain continuously.To maintain continuously.

Future Generations of PeopleFuture Generations of People

What is a future generation?What is a future generation?

Do we have any moral responsibilities to future Do we have any moral responsibilities to future generations? Why or why not?generations? Why or why not?

What will future generations need and want?What will future generations need and want?

Why we might not have moral Why we might not have moral responsibilities to future generationsresponsibilities to future generations

1. Argument from Ignorance1. Argument from Ignorance

2. Argument from Disappearing Beneficiaries2. Argument from Disappearing Beneficiaries

3. Argument from Temporal Location3. Argument from Temporal Location

Why we might have responsibilities Why we might have responsibilities to future generationsto future generations

1. Future people might be owed a reasonable1. Future people might be owed a reasonable

hope of hope of ☺ ☺ (Utilitarianism)(Utilitarianism)

2. Future people might have rights that need to be 2. Future people might have rights that need to be

respected (Human Rights)respected (Human Rights)

3. We might care about who future people are (Care 3. We might care about who future people are (Care

Ethic)Ethic)

Five Central ProblemsFive Central Problems

1. Ignorance Problem: How can we know what future people will really 1. Ignorance Problem: How can we know what future people will really

need and want, what rights they might insist upon, and what they need and want, what rights they might insist upon, and what they will blame us for doing right and wrong?will blame us for doing right and wrong?

2. Typology of Effects Problem: How can we determine which of our 2. Typology of Effects Problem: How can we determine which of our actions will really have moral implications for the future?actions will really have moral implications for the future?

3. Problem of Intergenerational Trade-Offs: How should a particular 3. Problem of Intergenerational Trade-Offs: How should a particular generation balance concern for its own moral and prudential generation balance concern for its own moral and prudential concerns with concern for future generations?concerns with concern for future generations?

Five Central Problems continuedFive Central Problems continued

4. Distance Problem: How far into the future do4. Distance Problem: How far into the future do

our moral obligations extend?our moral obligations extend?

5. Saving Stuff Problem: What should we save for 5. Saving Stuff Problem: What should we save for

future generations—actual natural resources future generations—actual natural resources or monetary investments?or monetary investments?

Two Kinds of SustainabilityTwo Kinds of Sustainability

Substitutability: Are natural resources—from the Substitutability: Are natural resources—from the more-than-human world—interchangeable with more-than-human world—interchangeable with human-produced goods and monetary assets? human-produced goods and monetary assets?

Weak Sustainability: Yes! All we need to sustain Weak Sustainability: Yes! All we need to sustain are non-declining stocks of utility for people.are non-declining stocks of utility for people.

Strong Sustainability: No! We need to sustain (at Strong Sustainability: No! We need to sustain (at least some of) the more-than-human world. least some of) the more-than-human world.

Some people you might know:Some people you might know:

“ “Energy” “The Ethics ofEnergy” “The Ethics of “ “Water” Sustainable Resources” Water” Sustainable Resources” Bjorn Lomborg Donald SchererBjorn Lomborg Donald Scherer Strong or Weak S? Strong or Weak S?Strong or Weak S? Strong or Weak S?

Some Preliminary Considerations about Some Preliminary Considerations about Sustainable ResourcesSustainable Resources

Population growth, increasing affluence, and the creation Population growth, increasing affluence, and the creation of new technologies usually increase the energy supply of new technologies usually increase the energy supply needed to sustain people.needed to sustain people.

The scale of the operation of maintaining and increasing The scale of the operation of maintaining and increasing energy supplies for people leads to moral demands for energy supplies for people leads to moral demands for increasing efficiency and curtailing pollution.increasing efficiency and curtailing pollution.

The complex interplay of economics, politics, and other The complex interplay of economics, politics, and other social factors, combined with biophysical and ecological social factors, combined with biophysical and ecological considerations, results in much uncertainty about the considerations, results in much uncertainty about the future consequences of our actions and decisions today.future consequences of our actions and decisions today.

Scherer on SustainabilityScherer on Sustainability

To sustain using something is to use it continually and To sustain using something is to use it continually and indefinitely.indefinitely.

We can think of sustainability in terms of:We can think of sustainability in terms of:

1. Choice1. Choice

2. Lifestyle2. Lifestyle

3. Resources3. Resources

4. Reusability 4. Reusability

5. Substitutability5. Substitutability

Sustainability of ChoiceSustainability of Choice

We can make the same energy choices continually We can make the same energy choices continually and indefinitely.and indefinitely.

Is this a good way to think about sustainability?Is this a good way to think about sustainability?

What is problematic about conceiving of What is problematic about conceiving of sustainability as sustainability of choicesustainability as sustainability of choice

1. The sustainability of a choice to use a particular energy 1. The sustainability of a choice to use a particular energy source is relative to the size of a population and the source is relative to the size of a population and the efficiency of its energy conversion.efficiency of its energy conversion.

2. A plurality of purposes can make a given choice to use 2. A plurality of purposes can make a given choice to use a particular energy source both sustainable and a particular energy source both sustainable and unsustainable.unsustainable.

3. Choices of energy use have unintended consequences.3. Choices of energy use have unintended consequences.

4. Choices of energy use can lead to synergistic effects. 4. Choices of energy use can lead to synergistic effects.

Sustainability of LifestyleSustainability of Lifestyle

Given our social organization and patterns of Given our social organization and patterns of practice, we can maintain the same lifestyle practice, we can maintain the same lifestyle

continually and indefinitely. continually and indefinitely.

Is this a good way to think about sustainability?Is this a good way to think about sustainability?

What is problematic about conceiving of What is problematic about conceiving of sustainability as sustainability of lifestyle sustainability as sustainability of lifestyle

1. Environmental impacts caused by a particular lifestyle are not 1. Environmental impacts caused by a particular lifestyle are not independent of the size of the population.independent of the size of the population.

2. A desirable affluent lifestyle centrally might rely upon nonrenewable2. A desirable affluent lifestyle centrally might rely upon nonrenewable

energy sources or unsustainable rates of renewable energy energy sources or unsustainable rates of renewable energy sources.sources.

3. Lifestyle maintenance might obscure substitutions of natural resources 3. Lifestyle maintenance might obscure substitutions of natural resources and modifications of natural processes. and modifications of natural processes.

4. How do we define the lifestyle of a particular society?4. How do we define the lifestyle of a particular society?

5. Given the diversity of people with a particular society, does the 5. Given the diversity of people with a particular society, does the “ “lifestyle of the society” privilege certain groups of people?lifestyle of the society” privilege certain groups of people?

Sustainability of ResourcesSustainability of Resources

We can use particular resources continually and We can use particular resources continually and indefinitely.indefinitely.

Is this a good way to think about sustainability?Is this a good way to think about sustainability?

What is problematic about conceiving of What is problematic about conceiving of sustainability as sustainability of resources sustainability as sustainability of resources

1. Inefficiency of energy use is a considerable obstacle to the1. Inefficiency of energy use is a considerable obstacle to the sustainability of resources.sustainability of resources.

2. Use of public resources that are not or cannot be privatized can 2. Use of public resources that are not or cannot be privatized can lead to a tragedy of the commons.lead to a tragedy of the commons.

3. While we can manipulate the supplies of recourses, there are 3. While we can manipulate the supplies of recourses, there are

biophysical limits to total number and use of resources. biophysical limits to total number and use of resources.

4. Even if we think about resources in terms of the services they 4. Even if we think about resources in terms of the services they provide, the services are not independent of the rates of totalprovide, the services are not independent of the rates of total consumption of particular materials.consumption of particular materials.

Sustainability as Reusability Sustainability as Reusability

We can reuse resources continually and We can reuse resources continually and indefinitely.indefinitely.

Is this a good way to think about sustainability? Is this a good way to think about sustainability?

What is problematic about conceiving of What is problematic about conceiving of sustainability as reusable resources sustainability as reusable resources

1. Reusability of resources is not independent of their possible initial 1. Reusability of resources is not independent of their possible initial scarcity.scarcity.

2. Actual conditions of use can significantly compromise theoretical 2. Actual conditions of use can significantly compromise theoretical reusability.reusability.

3. Proven technologies for reuse might not be cost-effective and/or 3. Proven technologies for reuse might not be cost-effective and/or not available to various populations of people.not available to various populations of people.

4. Theoretical reuse has biophysical limits, including entropy. 4. Theoretical reuse has biophysical limits, including entropy.

Sustainability as Substitutability Sustainability as Substitutability

We can substitute resources continually and We can substitute resources continually and indefinitely.indefinitely.

Is this a good way to think about sustainability?Is this a good way to think about sustainability?

What is problematic about conceiving of What is problematic about conceiving of sustainability in terms of substitutability sustainability in terms of substitutability

1. We do not have substitutions for a number of natural resources.1. We do not have substitutions for a number of natural resources.

2. Theoretical substitutability will still be constrained by biophysical2. Theoretical substitutability will still be constrained by biophysical and quantifiable limits of what is available for substitution.and quantifiable limits of what is available for substitution.

3. Substituting human-produced goods and monetary assets for 3. Substituting human-produced goods and monetary assets for natural resources will be problematic for those who adhere to natural resources will be problematic for those who adhere to strong sustainability. strong sustainability.

Sustainability and Environmental JusticeSustainability and Environmental Justice

““We should not imperil the availability for future We should not imperil the availability for future generations of what we have available to us generations of what we have available to us now.” But when is “now” and who are “us”?now.” But when is “now” and who are “us”?

Who gets to make decisions about our Who gets to make decisions about our sustainable use of resources?sustainable use of resources?

How is our concern for environmental justice How is our concern for environmental justice related to our environmental ethics concern for related to our environmental ethics concern for nature? nature?

Scherer on SustainabilityScherer on Sustainability

““Sustainability, then, if understood ecosystemically, includes the Sustainability, then, if understood ecosystemically, includes the recognition of goods other than human well-being and the resources recognition of goods other than human well-being and the resources that conduce thereto. Once these other goods are recognized, that conduce thereto. Once these other goods are recognized, conditions of their stable maintenance exist. The recognition of conditions of their stable maintenance exist. The recognition of these goods expands the meaning of ‘sustainability’ to include the these goods expands the meaning of ‘sustainability’ to include the conditions that assure that stable maintenance. Respect for those conditions that assure that stable maintenance. Respect for those goods, along perhaps with prudence as well, requires aiming to goods, along perhaps with prudence as well, requires aiming to maintain the conditions that those goods require. Accordingly, maintain the conditions that those goods require. Accordingly, human actions thought right or at least permissible, on the grounds human actions thought right or at least permissible, on the grounds that they promote or at least do not harm human well-being, are that they promote or at least do not harm human well-being, are arguably wrong if and when they contravene broadened, arguably wrong if and when they contravene broadened, ecosystemic conditions of sustainability. ecosystemic conditions of sustainability.

(“The Ethics of Sustainable Resources” pp. 343-344)(“The Ethics of Sustainable Resources” pp. 343-344)

Lomborg on SustainabilityLomborg on Sustainability

““We must take care of the problems, prioritize reasonably, but not We must take care of the problems, prioritize reasonably, but not worry unduly. We are actually leaving the world a better place than worry unduly. We are actually leaving the world a better place than when we got it and this is the really fantastic point about the real when we got it and this is the really fantastic point about the real state of the world: that mankind’s lot has improved in every state of the world: that mankind’s lot has improved in every significant measurable field and that it is likely to continue to do so. significant measurable field and that it is likely to continue to do so. … [C]hildren born today—in both the industrialized world and … [C]hildren born today—in both the industrialized world and developing countries—will live longer and be healthier, they will get developing countries—will live longer and be healthier, they will get more food, a better education, a higher standard of living, more more food, a better education, a higher standard of living, more leisure time and far more possibilities—without the global leisure time and far more possibilities—without the global environment being destroyed. And that is a beautiful world.”environment being destroyed. And that is a beautiful world.”

((The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World World pp. 351-352)pp. 351-352)

So what is sustainability?So what is sustainability?