This is one of our more serious cultural delusions. To think we can have unending growth on a finite planet is a critical break with reality. We even base our economy on it!

Never-ending growth vs a finite planet.

In “modern” cultures we have the concept that never ending growth is a good thing. We promote it and measure our progress by it, the economy is based on continual growth. The population is continually growing and it is taboo to speak about limiting it.

But the reality is that we live on a finite planet. Continual growth is at odds with the physical reality. We can and are using up / destroying

what the planet has to offer.

Earth is the source of all resources, all wealth. Everything we have is taken from the planet. If

we continually take without allowing the planet

to replenish itself, we destroy that which gives

us life and allows us to live, as well as the biodiversity that is evolution’s legacy and not

ours to destroy.

We overfish, deforest, tear down mountain

tops, destroy soil and biodiversity,

permanently destroy natural biodiversity with GMOs. We pollute the air, soil and waters,

turn valuable natural resources into garbage, create dead zones in the oceans, and drive species into extinction.

We encourage the growth of our own species even though overpopulation seriously degrades the quality of many lives and is clearly unsustainable. We rarely question the false assumption that we can grow forever. It is taboo to even talk about this.

Sustainability

What is it?  Human’s long term well being depends on the long term well being of the natural world. Everything we have comes from Earth / Nature. Nature has the capacity to sustain diverse life perpetually, so every species has what it needs to survive and thrive.

We need to see the cultural delusion of never ending growth for what it is, a destructive idea unhinged from reality.

We need to see the reality of the planet, what it offers, what it’s limits and requirements are, what it needs to replenish itself and to keep a healthy web of life for all of Earthlife.

We need to learn how to farm in a way that keeps all biodiversity alive and soil fertile and healthy, such as organic. We need an economy that values all the benefits that come from Nature and natural processes, and that discourages harm to Nature.

We need to value and preserve all types of ecosystems, forests, wilderness, and wildlife. We need to learn to live without polluting, and within the limits of Nature’s capacity to replenish.

We need to reverse overpopulation by encouraging voluntary reduction of human births, with widespread education, and other incentives.

The biggest thing we need to do is to learn from Nature.  We need to respect and value all life and natural systems and work in harmony with them. We can live wonderful comfortable lives, if we work within and not against the laws of Nature, and reality. We can learn from Nature how to be sustainable.