Resource and Limit of Growth :An Introduction Manish Kr. Semwal GMIS

Basic Questions Is there a limit for natural resources? Can society operate without natural resources? Is there an interrelationship between resources? Is there an interrelationship between the rich and the poor? What is globalization? What is “sustainable development”? How can we create a world with a balance in economic activities, social stability, and environmental quality?

The Limit to Growth Natural resources Processing and use Waste and pollution SourcesSocietySinks The human population and economy depend upon constant flows of raw materials such as air, water, mineral, fossil fuel from earth. The human society use those resources to produce product for consumption. The processes constantly emit waste and pollution back to the earth. The limit to the ability of the planetary sources to provide those stream of material and energy, and limits to the ability of the planetary Sinks to absorb the pollution and waste are limits to growth for the human society. In other words, the limits to growth are limits to the flow of materials and energy needed to keep the society functioning. throughput

Food Determine By 1. Socio- Cultural Setup 2. Economical Benefits 3. Ecological Need

The First Conclusion Human use of many essential resources and generation of many kinds of pollutants have already surpassed rates that are physically sustainable. Without significant reductions in material and energy flows, there will be in the coming decades an uncontrolled declined in per capita food output, energy use, and industrial production.

The Second Conclusion This decline is not inevitable. To avoid it, two changes are necessary. The first is a comprehensive revision of policies and practices that perpetuate growth in material and energy consumption (supply-side management). The second is a rapid, drastic increase in the efficiency with which materials and energy are used (demand-side management).

The Third Conclusion A sustainable society is still technically and economically possible. Based on the principle of sufficient economy, it could be much more desirable than a society that tries to solve its problem by constant expansion. The transition to a sustainable society requires a careful balance between long and short term goals, and between economics, social, and environmental viability. It emphasis on sufficiency, equity, and quality of life rather than on quantity and outputs. It require more than technology; it also requires maturity, compassion, and wisdom to manage the society.

Sustainable Development Model Social Economic Environment (based on deep ecology) (based on sustainable economy) (based on Appropriate technology)

The Underlying Concepts for Sustainable Development The concept of Sustainable Economy The concept of Deep Ecology The concept of Appropriate Technology and Clean Production

Characteristics of a Sustainable Economy Strives for constant GDP (growth in some area of the economy, shrinkage in the others) Stresses product durability, avoid throwaway (disposable) product Emphasis efficiency in resources use to ensure long- term supplies Minimizes waste and pollution in the total system, relying on reduce, reuse, recycling Minimize transportation by decentralize certain production Strives for equitable distribution of wealth

The Concept of Deep Ecology Deep ecology –Harmony with nature –All nature has intrinsic worth/biospecies equality –Simple material need (for the purpose of self realization) –Earth “supplies” limited –Doing with enough/reuse/recycling –Social equality –Diversity Dominant view –Dominance over nature –Natural environment as resources for human –Materialism –Economic growth for the purpose of self-demand –Earth “supplies” unlimited –High technological progress as solution for resources and waste –Consumerism –National/centralized community

Characteristics of Appropriate Technology Machines size are compatible with human Man-machine interaction is simple Decentralized uses of material and energy Based on local resources Use renewable resources whenever possible Efficient use of energy and material Less waste or pollution Less capital intensive Stress meaningful work, allowing workers to perform a variety of tasks Product are generally for local consumption Product are durable, interchangeable, recyclable, reusable The means of production are compatible with local norms/culture/lifestyle

Globalization ProducerConsumer goods, services, recruitment Labour, consumption Natural Environment resources Pollution/ waste Pollution/ waste International Agreements and politics Arousing more consumption Technology International money market reinvestment investment

Major Challenges to Sustainability -greenhouse gases -use of toxic materials -contaminated land -urban and minority unemployment -industrial emission -contaminated water -lack of sewage treatment -scarcity of materials -insufficient reuse And recycling -overexploitation of Renewable resources -overuse of water For irrigation -migration to cities -lack of skilled workers -income inequality -population growth -discrimination -dislocation -deforestation -overgrazing -soil loss -dung and wood Burning -lack of sanitation -ecosystem destruction Pollution Depletion Poverty Developed economies Emerging economies Survival economies

A Framework for Sustainable Enterprise Management social economic environment sufficiency efficiencyconsistency sustainability “eco-justice” “eco-efficiency” “socio-efficiency” Problems: over-consumption, resources depletion Solutions: - fair resources allocation - equal access rights - redirection of consumer behavior Problems: poverty, income disparity Solutions: - greening the supply chain - efficient income distribution Problems: pollution, externalities Solutions: - innovative technology - pollution reduction

Population Growth Year Population in Billions Births & Deaths per 1000 per Year

Total Population Added Millions of People Added per Year

Industrial Production Year

2004 Projection for Resources Population Pollution Food

One Index of Overshoot - the Global Ecological Footprint Year Number of Earths Required

Reserve Lifetimes in Limits to Growth Nonrenewable Resources - Petroleum Known Global Reserves: 455 x 109 bbls (US Bureau of Mines) Static Index: 31 years Static Index with 5 Times Known Reserves: 155 Average Projected Annual Growth Rate (%): 3.9 Exponential Index: 20 years Exponential Index with 5 Times Known Reserves: 50 Of course the actual nonrenewable resource availability in the next few decades will be determined by factors much more complicated than can be expressed by either index.

The Challenge of Man’s Future Within a period of time which is very short compared with the total span of human history, supplies of fossil fuels will almost certainly be exhausted. This loss will make man completely dependent upon waterpower, atomic energy, and solar energy for driving his machines. There are no fundamental physical laws which prevent such a transition, and it is quite possible that society will be able to make the change smoothly. But it is a transition that will happen only once during the lifetime of the human species... if machine civilization should, because of some catastrophe, stop functioning, it will probably never again come into existence.

Thank You all Manish Kr. Semwal