perspective, the deployment of consumer education programs targeted at defining
responsible demand and conscious consumption is a requisite foundation for
sustainability (Junyent and Geli de Ciurana 2008).
2.13 Conclusion
The discussion in this chapter has focused on the role of culture in establishing
economic outcomes and the relationship between the economic system and environmental sustainability and sustainable economic growth. In essence, argument has
been made that the present consumption oriented economic system is veiled by the
market, obscuring consumers from understanding their direct contribution to environmental degradation and social injustice. Furthermore, an economic growth model
that measures growth based on consumption is misaligned with sustainability. In
order to promote the inclusion of environmental assets and non-human life in the
discussion of sustainability, consumers need to be made aware of the connection
between prices, externalities, and consumption. Education to align consumer behavior with sustainability of outcomes is fundamental requisite to achieve a foundation
where bioeconomy can promote sustainable economic development. Without an
understanding of the impact of the consumer supply chain, the bioeconomy risks
being a substitute for present production processes rather than a value-based paradigm shift that measures growth based on parameters independent of human and
non-human life exploitation.
Given that bioeconomy is discussed as a substitute for present production processes and therefore relies on the development of new technologies to promote
efficient use and sustainability of resources, there is a need to also address the
sustainability of human population growth. Returning to the assertion that
sustainability be holistic and inclusive of the welfare of non-human life, without
discussion of human population control all non-human life will be controlled and
maintained for the benefit of human life, ceasing in its own ability to have life value
and evolve and further, eliminating the nature-based connection of the interconnectivity of life that silently provides for natural balance. Human population growth
needs to be included as part of sustainability education and the role of reproduction
needs to be evaluated in order to establish a sustainable bioeconomy.
References
Bentham J (1879) An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation. Clarendon, Oxford,
p 14
Birch K, Tyfield D (2012) Theorizing the bioeconomy: biovalue, biocapital, bioeconomics or...
what? Sci Technol Hum Values 38:299–327. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243912442398
Boran I (2006) Benefits, intentions, and the principle of fairness. Can J Philos 36(1):95–115
Brundtland G (1987) Report of the world commission on environment and development: our
common future. United Nations general assembly document a/42/427
Calloway CC (1997) New worlds for all. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD
32
M. Venkatesan
responsible demand and conscious consumption is a requisite foundation for
sustainability (Junyent and Geli de Ciurana 2008).
2.13 Conclusion
The discussion in this chapter has focused on the role of culture in establishing
economic outcomes and the relationship between the economic system and environmental sustainability and sustainable economic growth. In essence, argument has
been made that the present consumption oriented economic system is veiled by the
market, obscuring consumers from understanding their direct contribution to environmental degradation and social injustice. Furthermore, an economic growth model
that measures growth based on consumption is misaligned with sustainability. In
order to promote the inclusion of environmental assets and non-human life in the
discussion of sustainability, consumers need to be made aware of the connection
between prices, externalities, and consumption. Education to align consumer behavior with sustainability of outcomes is fundamental requisite to achieve a foundation
where bioeconomy can promote sustainable economic development. Without an
understanding of the impact of the consumer supply chain, the bioeconomy risks
being a substitute for present production processes rather than a value-based paradigm shift that measures growth based on parameters independent of human and
non-human life exploitation.
Given that bioeconomy is discussed as a substitute for present production processes and therefore relies on the development of new technologies to promote
efficient use and sustainability of resources, there is a need to also address the
sustainability of human population growth. Returning to the assertion that
sustainability be holistic and inclusive of the welfare of non-human life, without
discussion of human population control all non-human life will be controlled and
maintained for the benefit of human life, ceasing in its own ability to have life value
and evolve and further, eliminating the nature-based connection of the interconnectivity of life that silently provides for natural balance. Human population growth
needs to be included as part of sustainability education and the role of reproduction
needs to be evaluated in order to establish a sustainable bioeconomy.
References
Bentham J (1879) An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation. Clarendon, Oxford,
p 14
Birch K, Tyfield D (2012) Theorizing the bioeconomy: biovalue, biocapital, bioeconomics or...
what? Sci Technol Hum Values 38:299–327. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243912442398
Boran I (2006) Benefits, intentions, and the principle of fairness. Can J Philos 36(1):95–115
Brundtland G (1987) Report of the world commission on environment and development: our
common future. United Nations general assembly document a/42/427
Calloway CC (1997) New worlds for all. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD
32
M. Venkatesan