Sustainability through fantasy

When we envision sustainability, our minds often gravitate toward concrete and scientific solutions—strategies to combat climate change, minimise waste, and promote equity. Science fiction has long served as a wellspring of inspiration, providing us with both futuristic visions and cautionary tales. John Elkington, for example, references Frank Herbert’s Dune in his Substack Rewilding Markets to underscore the lessons these narratives impart. His latest book, Tickling Sharks, explores how stories like Peter Benchley’s Jaws can spark ripple effects and cascading events. But what about the realm of fantasy? Could it offer equally compelling insights into sustainability?

Reflecting on the latest episode of Amazon’s The Rings of Power, I found myself contemplating whether the true value lies not solely in the "science" of science fiction but also in the "fantasy" that encourages us to probe deeper truths about our connection with nature and one another.

The power of fantasy

Fantasy worlds such as Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, George R.R. Martin’s Westeros, and Frank Herbert’s Arrakis present a unique fusion of the familiar and the fantastical. These settings are rooted in recognisable realities—landscapes that mirror our own and societies that echo historical cultures. Yet, they are also realms of magic, mystery, and altered rules. This blend invites us to view our world from fresh perspectives and embrace the unforeseen.

Middle-Earth and Westeros: Echoes of our past

Middle-Earth and Westeros are reflections of historical struggles. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, with its rich mythology and cyclical civilisations, mirrors timeless themes of power, greed, and morality. Martin’s Westeros, with its intricate politics and shifting allegiances, illustrates the constant interplay between ambition and ethical constraints—the perennial games in which humanity seems perpetually ensnared. These narratives are more than mere stories; they are vehicles for exploring human nature and societal dynamics, offering insights into the importance of stewardship and the dangers of unchecked power. They serve as prototypes against which we can assess our current practices.

Arrakis: A vision of ecological extremes

Frank Herbert’s Arrakis offers a stark vision of ecological disaster. Once a lush world, it has become a barren wasteland. The Fremen, the planet’s indigenous people, exemplify resilience and adaptability. Their profound connection to the land and sophisticated understanding of ecological balance provide a model of sustainability born out of necessity. Arrakis serves both as a warning against environmental degradation and as a beacon of hope for living in harmony with nature, urging us to rejuvenate our strained relationship with the Earth.

The wisdom of stories and tools

The role of stories in preservation

In these fantasy realms, storytelling plays a vital role in preserving knowledge and cultural values. For instance, in The Rings of Power, Nori Brandyfoot and Poppy Proudfellow use an ancient song to navigate unknown territories. Initially seeming trivial, this song turns out to be a set of instructions passed down through generations, demonstrating how stories can preserve essential knowledge and survival skills. This reinforces the idea that storytelling is crucial for maintaining cultural continuity and guiding future generations. What messages are we silencing today, and which voices of wisdom have we overlooked?

Jonathan Gottschall’s The Storytelling Animal reveals the profound impact of storytelling: “We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.” This highlights the power of stories to shape understanding and preserve wisdom, as seen in both our world and the fantastical realms we explore. In Middle-Earth, Elvish tales and histories act as repositories of wisdom and morality, guiding characters through their quests. Similarly, in Westeros, the songs of bards and the records of maesters preserve the intricacies of political dynamics and historical lessons. These examples underscore how storytelling not only entertains but also educates and informs, passing on crucial lessons and preserving collective memory.

However, what stories are we telling today? History is often written by the victors, and many past narratives are one-sided. The stories we craft today hold significant power, shaping our present and future. Jon Alexander, in Citizens, argues that we are currently trapped within "the consumer story," rather than the "citizen story" that both we and the planet urgently need. This distinction emphasises the need to shift from consumption-driven narratives to those fostering active citizenship and environmental stewardship.

Tools and their double edges

Fantasy also teaches us about the dual nature of tools and technologies. In The Rings of Power, Elrond’s caution about the Elven rings reflects the potential for tools to entrap us in systems that may not serve our best interests. This mirrors contemporary concerns about powerful technologies like nuclear weapons and fossil fuels. While these tools may offer significant benefits, they also create new realities that challenge our values and long-term survival.

The One Ring in Middle-Earth symbolises the ultimate tool that can corrupt and dominate, reflecting how certain technologies or powers can lead to moral and existential crises. In Arrakis, the spice melange represents a resource that, while essential, also drives conflict and exploitation. These narratives highlight the need for careful consideration of the impact of our tools and technologies, stressing that their potential benefits must be weighed against their possible harms.

These narratives underscore the symbiosis between the tools we build and the stories we weave around them. Human beings have evolved to build tools and tell stories together because this combination makes us adaptable. This duality allows us to use a tool not only with the lessons passed down but also with the rules we follow when using it. This brings me back to Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass and the Indigenous wisdom she highlights in the "Honourable Harvest." This practice asks us to take only what we need, use everything we take, and give back more than we receive. Such a relationship of respect and reciprocity represents a balance between taking and giving.

Yet, we seem to have adopted a “one rule to rule them all” approach with our current tools—a siloed view of progress defined solely by "economic growth" rather than "respect and reciprocity." If a tool cannot aid in economic growth, it is deemed unimportant, and reciprocity is framed as insignificant or even a waste. But is the story of "infinite growth on a finite planet" truly what we need? This notion, though debunked, remains the prevailing narrative that shapes today’s sustainability tools—a narrative I view with scepticism.

The insights of game theory

To further understand our predicament, Game Theory—a mathematical framework for analysing strategic interactions where outcomes depend on others’ actions—proves insightful. It illuminates why certain tools and technologies, such as nuclear weapons and fossil fuels, persist despite their clear risks.

Game Theory scenarios often involve “prisoner’s dilemmas” or “tragedies of the commons.” For instance, in a prisoner’s dilemma, two parties may end up in a worse situation if they both act in their own self-interest rather than cooperating. This mirrors the global dilemma with nuclear weapons: each nation may feel compelled to arm itself to ensure security, but this collective arms race heightens global insecurity and the potential for catastrophic conflict.

Similarly, the tragedy of the commons is evident with fossil fuels. Individually, fossil fuel use benefits each actor, but collectively, it leads to environmental degradation and climate change. Each nation’s pursuit of economic growth through fossil fuels contributes to a global crisis that no single actor can solve alone.

These scenarios highlight a key point: our current tools and technologies are embedded within a framework of competitive and self-interested narratives. The stories we tell about progress and success drive these strategic choices, often at the expense of collective well-being and long-term sustainability. Our current game is based on short-term self-interest and competition rather than long-term collaboration toward the common good. This is reflected in the design of contemporary sustainability tools, which support the reductionist fantasy of “Green-Growth Capitalism” rather than embracing a more holistic and regenerative approach.

Beyond tools: The larger stories we tell and the role of creative curiosity

The persistence of problematic tools is not solely about their inherent properties but about the larger stories and narratives we construct around them. Tools themselves are neutral; their impact is shaped by the stories we tell about their use and purpose. For instance, the narrative of endless economic growth creates an environment where destructive technologies are justified as necessary for progress and capital extraction despite their long-term risks.

To transition to a more sustainable future, we must address not only the tools but also the overarching stories that shape our decisions. Just as Game Theory reveals the complexities of strategic interactions, it also underscores the importance of changing the underlying narratives that drive these interactions. The stories we embrace—whether about economic growth, technological advancement, or resource exploitation—fundamentally influence how we deploy our tools and technologies.

This is where creative curiosity plays a crucial role. My graduate thesis, titled “The Moment You Doubt Whether You Can Fly, You Cease Forever to Be Able to Do It,” explored the Peter Pan ideology and its implications for creativity and play. It highlighted that creativity flourishes in environments of playful curiosity, where exploration is encouraged. Young people, with their imaginative and innovative perspectives, embody this spirit of creative exploration.

Human beings are remarkable not for our specialisation but for our adaptability. We navigate challenges by dreaming up new solutions, imagining different worlds, and experimenting with possibilities. Creating imaginary worlds often inspires practical ways to bring elements of those worlds into reality. Just as the fantastical realms of Middle-Earth, Westeros, and Arrakis offer lessons in sustainability, the act of imaginative creation—of playing with ideas and possibilities—can lead to innovative solutions in our world.

Conclusion: Rewriting our stories

As we reimagine sustainability, it is essential to cultivate environments where playful curiosity thrives, enabling us to transcend the limitations of our current thinking. By reworking the stories we tell about progress and success, we can create tools and strategies that foster a balanced and regenerative future.

As I turn the final pages of John Elkington’s Tickling Sharks, I picture him as a shrewd diver in this grand narrative—whispering wisdom into the ears of the shark kings and playfully tickling these corporate emperors with his quill, all while a mischievous twinkle dances in his eye. In this vast and unfolding tale, what roles remain to be filled?

Some of us might be the remoras—not merely hitchhikers on the backs of powerful sharks, but guardians on the fringes clinging to the glass of the tank. We are the ones who reveal the invisible barriers confining us, shattering illusions with a knowing gaze. This role involves reflecting on and exposing the uncomfortable reality of the aquarium we find ourselves in.

Meanwhile, sea sponges, with their ancient and boundless wisdom, could be the bards of this story, whispering forgotten tales of the vast ocean beyond the tank's walls. They remind us of a world full of possibilities if we dare to look beyond our current constraints.

What of the bottlenose dolphins? In this fantasy, they symbolise scientific and collaborative spirits. They face challenges not through brute force but through intelligence, cooperation, and shared knowledge. These are the scientists and thinkers who, with playful effectiveness, grasp and communicate the realities of the status quo, urging us to explore new ways of being. Their insight lies in recognising that strength comes not just from individual prowess but from collective effort and shared understanding.

The octopuses, ever so clever, act as bridge builders, crafting passages in and out of the tank, connecting the confined world with the boundless sea beyond. They ensure that knowledge and innovation flow freely between realms, preparing us for reintegration.

In this unfolding epic, each of us has a role. Whether we are the sharks needing tickling or the remoras, sponges, dolphins, and octopuses planning the great escape—or a hybrid blend of many (this is, after all, fantasy). Our mission is to help shape a new story that leads us toward a sustainable future, one filled with joy, wisdom, and a deep respect for the interconnected world we share. Let us all take up our quills, voice our truths, and chart a course toward a world where every being plays its part in the dance of life, harmoniously connected to the kingdom that nurtures and unites us.