Our current economic system is linear. It’s a take-make-dispose model:
This system is not sustainable. The natural resources and systems upon which our lives – and economies – depend are being exhausted. For example, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, there is an estimated 50-60 years’ worth of copper and tin, and 110 years’ worth of coal left.
In 2009, scientists Johan Rockström and Will Steffen presented the concept of ‘planetary boundaries’. They defined nine key natural systems that are crucial to life on earth. They also defined a ‘safe operating space’ for humans – the extent to which we could encroach on these systems before they were pushed to the point of collapse.
More recently, Rockström has highlighted the increasing scientific evidence that shows we are moving away from the safe operating space for humanity on the planet – mainly because of the climate crisis. We now have up to 10 years for the required transformative changes to take place. Two frontiers should lead this process: science and a new economic logic based on the well-being of our societies.
You might also like to watch the Netflix documentary Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet – here is the link to its trailer: Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube.
Part funded through the European Social Fund (part of the European Strategic Investment Framework) for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
