Utopia

When future is a lie – September 2023

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The world is facing a complex crisis, one that simultaneously involves the urge to save the planet from an assured destruction and the lack of materials and accessible energy to make the transition smooth. This conundrum has garnered increased attention as we grapple with the urgent need to transition towards sustainable energy sources and confront the reality of resource scarcity.

 

While renewable energies, such as solar power, are often heralded as the solution to our energy needs, a deeper examination reveals a fundamental dilemma: the mass production of renewable technologies is not a panacea.

The Ideal

In our utopic image of the future, humanity has achieved a harmonious balance between economic prosperity and ecological sustainability. In this idyllic future, clean and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are the bedrock of energy generation, and they have been seamlessly integrated into the global economic system.

 

Capitalism, once driven by relentless growth and consumption, has transformed into a more conscious and responsible form , where businesses and individuals are incentivized to operate within ecological boundaries.  Resource conservation, circular economies, and equitable wealth distribution have become the norm and, without any need to give up our standard of living we have somehow managed to assure enough Earth’s resources for generations to come.

The Consequence

Renewable energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries are constructed using a wide array of materials, many of which are rare or environmentally costly to extract and process. The manufacturing of these technologies necessitates vast amounts of energy, often derived from fossil fuels, creating an ironic dependency on non-renewable resources in the pursuit of sustainability generating a green paradox.

 

To address the energy and materials crisis, a shift from capitalism towards a degrowth paradigm is mandatory. It comes to nobody’s surprise that the capitalistic ideal of infinite growth is not possible within a finite planet.

 

If we are not willing to accept it  we will be at the mercy of oppressive ideologies against specific groups or populations deemed responsible for environmental degradation. 

Do not expect too much of the end of the world
Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

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