The present book offers a compelling sketch of how technological advances have shaped humankind's evolution and how they can unlock ways to combat climate change and environmental threats. It also reveals new perspectives on climate change and sustainable development by harnessing technology.
Given today's conditions, only a homeless vegan could achieve a sustainable ecological footprint. In reality, it would be impossible, and even destructive, to attempt to save the planet by discontinuing consumption. It would disrupt evolution and threaten the driving forces of the technology that is our hope for combating climate change and environmental threats in the future.
This is the opinion of Rune Westergård, engineer, entrepreneur, and environmental debater, with several decades of experience from the field of environmental and energy technology. He challenges many established truths on consumption and sustainability and demonstrates how and why they are flawed. From his point of view, both continued global growth and increased welfare are entirely possible within the ecological limitations of our planet. Once we learn to put technology to our best advantage, one planet will be enough.
A new picture of the world
Chapter 1. The ecological shackle
Chapter 2. The children of technology
Chapter 3. Darwin and the machines
Chapter 4. The long and winding road to a better life
Chapter 5. The mechanisms of progress
Chapter 6. Consumption - a primordial force
Chapter 7. Real and imagined threats
Chapter 8. The welfare debt and the rebound effect
Chapter 9. Technology requires freedom and responsibility
Chapter 10. Resources are dwindling - yet growing
Chapter 11. The climate issue can be solved
Chapter 12. Scenarios for success
Chapter 13. One planet is enough