40
To simply state the problem:
As the global population increases and living standards continue to rise:
More people pay.
More money to use.
More energy to change.
More natural raw material into.
More stuff and more experiences that produce.
More waste.
Working backward through the list, we see what it takes to support this way of
life. The broad outline shows final effects first:
More waste from.
More stuff and more experiences, derived from.
More natural raw material, for which we need.
More energy and exchange.
More money from.
More people.
Each stage relates to each of the others and contributes, alone and together, to
changes we see on the planet as the world’s growing population constantly takes in
and gives back more and more.
The solid forms of the first three components—waste, stuff, and raw material—
are relatively easy to grasp because we can see and touch them. They have physical
presence. We can put them in a pile, hold them in our hands, place them on a shelf,
or sell them on eBay. The last three are more difficult to comprehend. Energy flow
can be metered and its effects measured but, as discussed in the last chapter, cannot
be directly seen or quantified. Money is merely a symbol of value and a convenient
way to exchange goods and services. Yes, we can hold a dollar in our hand, but the
paper on which it is printed has little inherent worth or utility until we exchange it
for something we want.
Since the whole system has been created to support people, who are at the same
time an integral part of the current production network, it is difficult to separate
human efforts and activities, which are at work within the system, from the benefits
we individually and collectively derive.
3.1.1 Waste
The complex interrelationships of each of the above components comprise the modern linear global economy. The end product of our traditional linear industrial economy is waste.
1
We think of it as inherently dirty, stinky, and useless. It is unwanted,
1 The alternative to a linear industrial economy is a circular industrial economy first described by
Walter Stahel as a system of loops in his 1976 report The Potential for Substituting Manpower for
3 Trash Can Living
To simply state the problem:
As the global population increases and living standards continue to rise:
More people pay.
More money to use.
More energy to change.
More natural raw material into.
More stuff and more experiences that produce.
More waste.
Working backward through the list, we see what it takes to support this way of
life. The broad outline shows final effects first:
More waste from.
More stuff and more experiences, derived from.
More natural raw material, for which we need.
More energy and exchange.
More money from.
More people.
Each stage relates to each of the others and contributes, alone and together, to
changes we see on the planet as the world’s growing population constantly takes in
and gives back more and more.
The solid forms of the first three components—waste, stuff, and raw material—
are relatively easy to grasp because we can see and touch them. They have physical
presence. We can put them in a pile, hold them in our hands, place them on a shelf,
or sell them on eBay. The last three are more difficult to comprehend. Energy flow
can be metered and its effects measured but, as discussed in the last chapter, cannot
be directly seen or quantified. Money is merely a symbol of value and a convenient
way to exchange goods and services. Yes, we can hold a dollar in our hand, but the
paper on which it is printed has little inherent worth or utility until we exchange it
for something we want.
Since the whole system has been created to support people, who are at the same
time an integral part of the current production network, it is difficult to separate
human efforts and activities, which are at work within the system, from the benefits
we individually and collectively derive.
3.1.1 Waste
The complex interrelationships of each of the above components comprise the modern linear global economy. The end product of our traditional linear industrial economy is waste.
1
We think of it as inherently dirty, stinky, and useless. It is unwanted,
1 The alternative to a linear industrial economy is a circular industrial economy first described by
Walter Stahel as a system of loops in his 1976 report The Potential for Substituting Manpower for
3 Trash Can Living