Ecological Modernization and Consumption: a Reply

This contribution balances Carolan's claim that ecological modernization perspectives fall short in adequately dealing with consumption, by referring to four major points. First, Carolan misinterprets ecological modernization where he claims that this perspective only argues for more production (and consumption). Second, Carolan is wrong in stating that ecological modernization has basically neglected issues of consumption as it has been part and parcel of the theory for some time. Third, he is incoherent with respect to the issue of downsizing consumption in a demodernization way. Finally, the approach taken by Carolan to debate the environmental dimensions of consumption brings us back to Malthusian debates of the 1970s, instead of moving forward to a more sociological theory and perspective of sustainable consumption