Thinking Outside the Square
Albert Einstein once said “we can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”. Applying this to today’s sustainability challenge would read “we are not going to rebalance the economy and ecology using economic decision support tools like cost benefit analysis, regardless of how ‘rigorous’ or ’scientific’ they purport to be”.
All environmental problems stem from a single cause – our systems of production and consumption are out of sync with the ecology of the planet. As a result major ecosystems are in decline and we are undermining our own ability to thrive, let alone the untold damage inflicted on other species.
But what about the cost?
The discussion on cost as opposed to value is a problem because at present it is not part of our main stream thinking.. It is not possible to go to the corner store and purchase $2.50 worth of improved biodiversity, or water catchment protection, or salinity control, etc. Spending money on what is essential to our resource and lifestyle security is counted as a cost.
Conversely you can happily buy $2.50 worth of nutritionless caffeinated beverage that arguably accelerates obesity, diabetes and dental decay but this is considered to be necessary expenditure – not a cost.
Go Figure! We need a mindset change.
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