The Soylent Green paradox
· 15 min read
Imagine a society on the verge of collapse, the ecosystem has crumbled beneath the weight of human consumerism, and the earth is packed with people. The 1973 dystopian movie "Soylent Green," which is set in a hot, congested New York City in 2022, portrays this gloomy reality. The oceans are dying, resources are limited, and the majority are subsisting on artificial food rations made by the influential Soylent Corporation.
Fresh food is a luxury that only the wealthy can buy in this grim future, and Soylent's newest product, the enigmatic "Soylent Green," is being hailed as the answer to the world's food crisis. The film's depiction of a world driven to the edge by unbridled human activity serves as a sharp warning, even though its most shocking revelation—the true origin of Soylent Green—remains (thankfully) in the domain of fiction. We are currently caught up in a similar dilemma as we struggle with the pressing necessity for a sustainability pivot. Our actions are pushing the world to its limits and causing a global extinction disaster, despite our steadfast conviction in human dominance over nature.
This article explores this contradiction by looking at the unrealistic expectations that are ingrained in our current systems, analysing the challenges that come with changing the human condition, and suggesting a way forward for greater harmony. It also evaluates the current conflicts in international climate discussions and considers whether Eastern philosophies provide a more hopeful framework for attaining ecological balance.
The idea that humans are superior to nature is a fundamental part of our intellectual and cultural fabric. The idea that nature exists to serve human needs has been ingrained in our thinking for ages, from the biblical command to "subdue the earth" (Genesis 1:28) to the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and human mastery. This anthropocentric viewpoint was supported by philosophers such as René Descartes, who characterised animals as "mere machines" that lacked consciousness. This viewpoint has fostered a feeling of superiority and alienation from nature.
However, this illusion of dominance is perilous. The vast body of scientific data shows that people and the planet's health are closely intertwined. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the situation is dire:
• "Around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history." The fundamental ecosystems that sustain human life are under threat from this biodiversity catastrophe, which is fuelled by habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and overexploitation.
• "The global rate of species extinction is already at least tens to hundreds of times higher than it has averaged over the past 10 million years." This concerning figure highlights the unparalleled scope and rate of environmental deterioration brought on by human activity.
• "Three-quarters of the land-based environment and about 66% of the marine environment have been significantly altered by human actions." These changes, which are frequently brought about by resource extraction, urbanisation, and agriculture, are upsetting ecological balance and endangering the planet's capacity to deliver basic services like clean water and air.
The quest of continual expansion, frequently quantified by GDP, is the foundation of our prevailing economic model. However, the social and environmental consequences of economic activity are not taken into consideration by this statistic. In the words of Robert F. Kennedy, "GDP measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile." This drive for expansion frequently results in a greater need for workers and consumers, which feeds the systemic bias in favour of population growth.
• "The global population is projected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100." (The United Nations) The sheer quantity of people on the earth puts tremendous strain on ecosystems and resources, even while population growth rates are falling.
• "Global material footprint has increased by 70% since 2000." (UN Environment Program) This shows that we are producing enormous amounts of trash, eroding natural capital, and using resources at an unsustainable rate.
A "pay-as-you-go" concept is also used by many pension systems, especially in industrialised nations, where retirees' pensions are funded by payments from current employees. The system may be strained by a declining workforce, making this model susceptible to changes in the population.
• "The old-age dependency ratio (the number of people aged 65 years or over per 100 people aged 20-64 years) is projected to increase globally from 11 in 2019 to 25 in 2050." (The United Nations) The long-term sustainability of conventional pension schemes and the financial stability of ageing populations are called into question by this trend.
It is a formula for catastrophe to expect unlimited expansion on a finite earth. In their landmark 1972 report "The Limits to Growth," the Club of Rome forewarned of the repercussions of this unsustainable course: "If the present growth trends in world population, industrialisation, pollution, food production, and resource depletion continue unchanged, the limits to growth on this planet will be reached sometime within the next one hundred years." As we observe the growing effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, their message is still pertinent today.
We require a profound change in our systems and ideals in order to cross this brink. A more eco-centric viewpoint that acknowledges the inherent worth of all life must replace the anthropocentric one that puts people at the heart of everything. The famous ecologist Aldo Leopold once said, "When something tends to maintain the biotic community's integrity, stability, and beauty, it is right." When it leads to the contrary, it is incorrect.
To do this, progress must be redefined. We need to adopt metrics that gauge social justice, environmental sustainability, and well-being rather than just GDP. For example, the Happy Planet Index gauges what really counts: everyone's sustainable well-being. It provides a more comprehensive view of society advancement by accounting for life expectancy, experienced well-being, and ecological footprint.
• "Costa Rica tops the Happy Planet Index, with a life expectancy of 79.1 years, a well being score of 7.3 and an ecological footprint that’s three times smaller than the US average." This shows that substantial environmental effect can be attained while maintaining high levels of well-being.
We must investigate economic models that put stability, resource efficiency, and fair distribution first, like the steady-state economy that economist Herman Daly promotes. Maintaining a steady level of resource use within ecological bounds is the major goal of this paradigm, which questions the notion that continuous development is required or desirable.
Population management is a contentious topic that frequently raises issues of individual rights, past injustices, and cultural sensitivities. On the other hand, more sustainable population levels can result from providing people greater access to reproductive healthcare and education. At the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, world leaders recognised that "Reproductive health... is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being." It suggests that individuals have the capacity to procreate and the autonomy to choose whether, when, and how frequently to do so, as well as the ability to have a fulfilling and secure sexual life.
• "An estimated 217 million women in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using safe and modern methods of contraception." (United Nations Population Fund) In order to empower women and achieve sustainable population numbers, it is imperative that this unmet family planning need be addressed.
• "Increased educational attainment and improved child survival are strongly associated with reduced fertility rates." Putting money into education is a great way to support sustainable development and the demographic shift, especially for women and girls.
It is imperative to abandon coercive population control strategies and concentrate on establishing circumstances that empower people to make knowledgeable decisions regarding the size of their families. Important measures in this direction include funding gender equality, healthcare, and education.
Although there is no denying the necessity of a sustainability pivot, there are several obstacles in the way of bringing about significant improvement in the human situation. This intractability is influenced by multiple factors, including:
• Cognitive Biases: Humans have cognitive biases that make it difficult for us to understand how our actions will affect the world in the long run. This tendency to put immediate satisfaction ahead of long-term well-being is called "temporal discounting." We also display "optimism bias," which is the tendency to overestimate our influence over unfavourable circumstances and underestimate their occurrence. Despite the vast body of evidence, these prejudices can cause inactivity on environmental issues.
• Inertia and Resistance to Change: Inertia is the resistance of both individuals and societies to change long-standing thought and conduct patterns. Habit, fear of the unknown, and the perceived costs of change are some of the causes of this. It is challenging to abandon unsustainable methods and adopt new paradigms because of this inertia.
• Vested Interests: Strong political and economic interests frequently stand to gain from the status quo and actively oppose any changes that will jeopardise their earnings and influence. For instance, the fossil fuel sector has a lengthy history of disseminating false information about climate science and campaigning against climate action. This may result in major barriers to the adoption of sustainable policies.
• Tragedy of the Commons: People frequently behave selfishly when resources are shared, which results in overuse and resource depletion. Known as the "tragedy of the commons," this phenomena can impede group efforts to safeguard the environment. Examples of this dynamic include air pollution, deforestation, and overfishing.
Despite these challenges, there are avenues for fostering change:
• Education and Awareness: In order to overcome cognitive biases and motivate action, it can be helpful to promote environmental literacy and increase knowledge of the connections between human and planetary well-being. This entails integrating environmental education into academic programs, encouraging scientific studies, and employing successful communication techniques to connect with a range of audiences.
• Grassroots Movements and Social Change: Numerous instances of grassroots movements promoting social and political change may be found throughout history. Collective action can challenge injustice and effect change, as exemplified by the civil rights movement, women's suffrage movement, and anti-apartheid campaign. Giving people and communities the tools they need to promote sustainability can make a significant difference.
• Technological Innovation: Technological developments can help solve environmental issues and ease the shift to a more sustainable lifestyle. It is essential to invest in green technologies, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy. The shift to a low-carbon economy can also be accelerated by funding research and development in fields like carbon capture and storage, sustainable materials, and energy-efficient technologies.
• Shifting Narratives: It is possible to overcome inertia and spur change by opposing prevailing narratives that uphold unsustainable habits and advocating for alternative ideas of what constitutes a good life. This entails changing the way that consumption is framed, prioritising quality over quantity, and advancing ideals like wellbeing, community, and connection.
It is worthwhile to consider if Eastern philosophies provide a more hopeful framework for attaining ecological balance, even though the prevailing narrative frequently depicts the West as the primary cause of environmental degradation. Many Eastern traditions place a strong emphasis on long-term thinking, harmony with nature, and interconnectedness— concepts that are consistent with sustainability.
• Buddhism: This philosophy emphasises the value of non-harming and the interdependence of all beings. It places a strong emphasis on living sustainably and consuming with awareness. The idea of "dependent origination" emphasises how all phenomena—including those involving people and the environment—are interdependent.
• Taoism: Living in line with the "Tao," or the universe's natural order, is emphasised in this tradition. It encourages balance, simplicity, and reverence for the natural environment. Instead of forcing human will on the environment, the "wu wei" (or easy action) philosophy promotes synchronising with the natural flow of things.
• Confucianism: This school of thought places a strong emphasis on maintaining social peace and the value of carrying out one's obligations to the environment and society. It encourages resource efficiency and stewardship. Benevolence, or "ren," is a notion that encompasses all living things, including the natural environment.
Even while these philosophies provide insightful perspectives, it's critical to recognise that Asia is not a single, homogenous region. Numerous Asian nations are facing their own fast urbanisation, industrialisation, and environmental problems. Nonetheless, the following are instances of programs and regulations that demonstrate a more comprehensive approach to development:
• Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Index: This country in the Himalayas puts the welfare of its people and the environment ahead of economic expansion. The index gauges things like ecological diversity, health, education, and psychological well being. According to its constitution, Bhutan must maintain at least 60% of its territory in forests.
• China's ecological civilization: This idea highlights the peaceful coexistence of people and nature and is established in the Chinese constitution. Significant expenditures in pollution prevention, reforestation, and renewable energy have resulted from it. China is currently the biggest investor in renewable energy globally. China has also an impressive record of increasing the forest cover within its vast boundaries from 10% to 25% in 2023. Xinjiang, a region known for its deserts have its forest cover raised from 1% to 5% in the last 40 years.
• India's traditional ecological knowledge: India has a long history of using indigenous knowledge systems that support biodiversity conservation and sustainable practices. The recognition and incorporation of these systems into contemporary conservation initiatives is growing. The Bishnoi people of Rajasthan, for instance, have a long history of preserving forests and wildlife.
Although it's too soon to say with certainty whether Asia is managing the sustainability shift more effectively than the West, Eastern ideas and methods provide insightful guidance and motivation for overcoming the difficult obstacles that lie ahead.
As evidenced by the continuous dramas surrounding international climate negotiations, such as COP16 (biodiversity) and COP26 (climate change), reaching a worldwide consensus on environmental action is difficult and complex. These challenges are a result of several factors:
• Conflicting Interests: Divergent economic interests and priorities across nations can lead to conflict and make it more difficult to reach consensus on lofty goals and pledges. Since developed nations have historically produced the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, they are frequently under pressure to help poorer nations make the transition to a low-carbon economy by offering them financial and technological support.
• Lack of Trust: Progress can be hampered by a lack of trust between nations, especially between industrialised and developing countries. Cooperation can be hampered by past injustices, unfulfilled commitments, and perceived disparities in the cost of climate action.
• Political Will: Strong political will and leadership are needed to address climate change and biodiversity loss. However, the execution of ambitious plans may be hampered by internal pressures, vested interests, and short-term political considerations.
• Complexity of the Issues: The loss of biodiversity and climate change are intricately linked problems with broad ramifications. It is difficult to find solutions that balance social, economic, and environmental factors while addressing the underlying causes of these issues.
Several actions are essential to overcoming these obstacles and making significant headway in global climate negotiations:
• Strengthening Trust and Cooperation: Establishing trust between nations is crucial to productive cooperation. This calls for recognising past obligations, keeping promises, and making sure that the cost of addressing climate change is distributed fairly.
• Enhancing Transparency and Accountability: In order to foster trust and guarantee that promises are fulfilled, procedures must be open, accountable, and transparent. Clear reporting procedures, impartial oversight, and reliable verification systems are all part of this.
• Focusing on Common Ground: It's critical to concentrate on shared objectives and interests while recognising variations in conditions and priorities. Highlighting the co benefits of climate action, such as increased resilience, job development, and better air quality, can help achieve this.
• Empowering Civil Society: In order to hold governments responsible and promote aggressive climate action, civil society organisations are essential. The voices of civil society can be strengthened and supported in order to generate pressure for change.
The path forward requires a multifaceted approach. We must:
• Invest in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture: A sustainable future depends on moving away from fossil fuels and supporting farming methods that preserve biodiversity and soil health. This calls for funding infrastructure for renewable energy, encouraging sustainable agriculture research and development, and putting laws in place that encourage the use of these technologies.
• Protect and restore biodiversity: Maintaining the planet's life support systems requires aggressively rebuilding degraded habitats and conserving current ecosystems. This entails creating protected areas, preventing the illegal wildlife trafficking and deforestation, and putting sustainable land management techniques into action.
• Foster a culture of sustainability: Reducing waste, embracing a circular economy, and encouraging responsible consumption are essential to minimising our influence on the environment. This calls for informing customers about how their decisions affect the environment and society, endorsing companies that put sustainability first, and putting laws in place that promote resource efficiency and waste minimisation.
• Engage in open and inclusive dialogue: Collaboration and cooperation across disciplines, cultures, and societal sectors are necessary to address the complex issues of sustainability. This entails establishing forums for discussion, encouraging understanding between people, and establishing agreement on solutions that are advantageous to both the environment and humans.
The apocalyptic setting of "Soylent Green" serves as a sobering warning of what happens when human activity is allowed to run amok. The decision we must make as we walk the edge of domination and destruction is straightforward: either adopt a new paradigm that puts the welfare of people and the environment first, or keep going in the direction of unsustainable growth and ecological devastation. This calls for a significant change in our beliefs, structures, and actions. Beyond the delusion of dominance, we must acknowledge our interdependence with all living things. We need to redefine progress by adopting metrics that assess environmental sustainability and true well-being. We must overcome the obstacles that come with being human, using social movements, education, and technology to bring about change. It is imperative that we promote international collaboration, overcoming differences and reaching an agreement on solutions that are advantageous to everyone.
Incremental change is no longer an option. Bold action and revolutionary change are required due to the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises. Let's make thoughtful decisions driven by compassion, a strong sense of duty, and a profound regard for all living things. It is a matter of our planet's future.
illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.
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