THE GLOBAL PREDICAMENT: the way out Transforming Cultures eJournal,

Most "green " thought and action fails to grasp that this society involves levels of resource consumption and environmental impact that are far beyond those that can be sustained or spread to all people. Technical advance and reforms within consumer-capitalist society cannot solve the problems; this will be illustrated by reference to greenhouse and energy problems. Although present levels of consumption are grossly unsustainable, the supreme priority is economic growth, i.e. to raise them without limit. In addition a system based on free market principles cannot be just. Rich world affluence would not be possible if wealth was not being transferred from poor countries. The only way out of the alarming global situation is via transition to some kind of Simpler Way, which is unlikely to be taken. Implications for bringing about such a transition will be indicated. Article I want to sketch out a perspective on the global scene. It is a very radical interpretation, and most people do not hold it. I think it is very important for people concerned about the state of the planet to consider this perspective when they are thinking about appropriate action. It is widely understood that we have serious problems, but most people have very little idea of the magnitude of the overshoot, how very far beyond sustainable levels we are. It is far beyond the sorts of levels of resource use that could ever be kept up for any length of time or spread to all people. When this is understood, I believe it is obvious that alarming global problems we have cannot be solved in or by a society that is driven by the pursuit of affluence and growth, by market forces, and by cultural values to do with competition, individualism and consumption. If this case is sound then the onl