Farewell to Growth

Farewell to Growth PDF Author: Serge Latouche
Publisher: Polity
ISBN: 0745646166
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 133

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Book Description
Most of us who live in the North and the West consume far too much – too much meat, too much fat, too much sugar, too much salt. We are more likely to put on too much weight than to go hungry. We live in a society that is heading for a crash. We are aware of what is happening and yet we refuse to take it fully into account. Above all we refuse to address the issue that lies at the heart of our problems – namely, the fact that our societies are based on an economy whose only goal is growth for growth’s sake. Serge Latouche argues that we need to rethink from the very foundations the idea that our societies should be based on growth. He offers a radical alternative – a society of ‘de-growth’. De-growth is not the same thing as negative growth. We should be talking about ‘a-growth’, in the sense in which we speak of ‘a-theism’. And we do indeed have to abandon a faith or religion – that of the economy, progress and development—and reject the irrational and quasi-idolatrous cult of growth for growth’s sake. While many realize that that the never-ending pursuit of growth is incompatible with a finite planet, we have yet to come to terms with the implications of this – the need to produce less and consume less. But if we do not change course, we are heading for an ecological and human disaster. There is still time to imagine, quite calmly, a system based upon a different logic, and to plan for a ‘de-growth society’.

Farewell to Growth

Farewell to Growth PDF Author: Serge Latouche
Publisher: Polity
ISBN: 0745646166
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 133

Get Book Here

Book Description
Most of us who live in the North and the West consume far too much – too much meat, too much fat, too much sugar, too much salt. We are more likely to put on too much weight than to go hungry. We live in a society that is heading for a crash. We are aware of what is happening and yet we refuse to take it fully into account. Above all we refuse to address the issue that lies at the heart of our problems – namely, the fact that our societies are based on an economy whose only goal is growth for growth’s sake. Serge Latouche argues that we need to rethink from the very foundations the idea that our societies should be based on growth. He offers a radical alternative – a society of ‘de-growth’. De-growth is not the same thing as negative growth. We should be talking about ‘a-growth’, in the sense in which we speak of ‘a-theism’. And we do indeed have to abandon a faith or religion – that of the economy, progress and development—and reject the irrational and quasi-idolatrous cult of growth for growth’s sake. While many realize that that the never-ending pursuit of growth is incompatible with a finite planet, we have yet to come to terms with the implications of this – the need to produce less and consume less. But if we do not change course, we are heading for an ecological and human disaster. There is still time to imagine, quite calmly, a system based upon a different logic, and to plan for a ‘de-growth society’.

The Innovation Biosphere

The Innovation Biosphere PDF Author: Eunika Mercier-Laurent
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1848215568
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
This book addresses those involved in research or R&D. It introduces the principles of eco-innovation and the importance of the impact of their activity. This topic is considered in the context of natural and digital ecosystems powered by intelligent assistants (technology). Chapter 1 positions the innovation as a process and component of ecosystems including research, enterprises, technology (digital ecosystems) and environment. Sustainable success is a condition of survival and an expectation of those who invest in innovation. Chapter 2 describes the main elements to consider and gives some tips. Chapter 3 presents some selected initiatives at the national and European level and provides a way of measuring success.

Our Daily Poison

Our Daily Poison PDF Author: Marie-Monique Robin
Publisher: The New Press
ISBN: 1595589090
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 482

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Book Description
Over the last thirty years, we have seen an increase in rates of cancer, neurodegenerative disease, reproductive disorders, and diabetes, particularly in developed countries. At the same time, since the end of World War II approximately 100,000 synthetic chemical molecules have invaded our environment--and our food chain. In Our Daily Poison, award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Marie-Monique Robin investigates the links between these two concerning trends, revealing how corporate interests and our ignorance about these invisible poisons may be costing us our lives. The result of a rigorous two-year-long investigation that took Robin across three continents (North America, Europe, and Asia), Our Daily Poison documents the many ways in which we encounter a shocking array of chemicals in our everyday lives--from the pesticides that blanket our crops to the additives and plastics that contaminate our food--and their effects on our bodies over time. Gathering as evidence scientific studies, testimonies of international regulatory agencies, and interviews with farm workers suffering from acute chronic poisoning, Robin makes a compelling case for outrage and action.

Innovation Ecosystems

Innovation Ecosystems PDF Author: Eunika Mercier-Laurent
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118603001
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 267

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Book Description
The capacity to innovate is a fundamental resource for organizations as well as the true wealth of a society. To contribute fully to the prosperity of an organization, region or country, the innovation process - which is not only technology-based - requires the implementation of knowledge dynamics between domains that are often treated in isolation. This dynamic is based on a synergy between humans and intelligent machines. For several years, innovation has been omnipresent and part of strategic matters. The word "innovation" is in the headlines of reports, articles and business media, and is also the subject of events, projects, think tanks, clubs and blogs. Several forums on social networks are devoted to its various facets. It is a global phenomenon. This book introduces the concept of "e-co-innovation" which brings a better understanding of the successful transition from idea to reality and ultimate value. The motivation behind this book is to introduce a global and system overview of the subject, to present the various aspects of innovation from different angles and perspectives to finally bring the reader to an understanding of all ecosystem components, their metamorphoses, cross-influences and possible impacts on the balanced development of people, businesses, regions and countries.

 PDF Author:
Publisher: Odile Jacob
ISBN: 2738175287
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 436

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Book Description


Precautionary Politics

Precautionary Politics PDF Author: Kerry H Whiteside
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 026226515X
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 201

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Book Description
The precautionary principle—which holds that action to address threats of serious or irreversible environmental harm should be taken even in the absence of scientific certainty—has been accepted as a key feature of environmental law throughout the European Union. In the United States, however, it is still widely unknown, and much of what has been written on the topic takes a negative view. Precautionary Politics provides a comprehensive analysis of the precautionary principle—its origins and development, its meaning and rationale, its theoretical context, and its policy implications. Kerry Whiteside looks at the application of the principle (and the controversies it has stirred) and compares European and American attitudes toward it and toward environmental regulation in general. Too often, Whiteside argues, American critics of the precautionary principle pay insufficient attention to how the principle has been debated, refined, and elaborated elsewhere. Precautionary Politics fills this gap. Whiteside demonstrates the different responses of Europe and the United States, first by describing the controversy over genetically modified crops, and then by using this example throughout the book to illustrate application of the precautionary principle in different contexts. He contrasts the European view that new types of risk require specially adapted modes of regulation with the American method of science-based risk assessment, and argues that despite Bush administration opposition, U.S.-European convergence on precaution is possible. Finally, he looks at the ways in which participatory innovation can help produce environmentally positive results. Whiteside's systematic defense of the precautionary principle will be an important resource for students, scholars, activists, and policymakers and is particularly suitable for classroom use.

Ecological Living

Ecological Living PDF Author: Dominique Gauzin-Müller
Publisher: Actes Sud
ISBN:
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
The pioneers of ecological architecture today are necessarily researchers as much as architects, in any conventional sense of the term. Sustainability is the key criterion in this field, and ecologically sound solutions for the designs of homes are the key challenge (homes the most commonly built structure). Ecological Living assesses a selection of some recently built ecological habitats, collecting several built examples from a variety of French architects, examining precursors such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Aalto and Pierre Lajus, plus proposals for European architects and architecture students and inquiries into the ecological viability of detached housing and tower blocks. The book is structured in thematic chapters, such as "Why is Action So Urgent," "The Precursors of Eco-Responsible," "An International Panorama of the State of the Art" and "Into Action!"

Report

Report PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 578

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Book Description


Biographie Universelle, Ancienne Et Moderne

Biographie Universelle, Ancienne Et Moderne PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography
Languages : en
Pages : 1322

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Book Description


Ces maladies créées par l'homme

Ces maladies créées par l'homme PDF Author: Pr Dominique Belpomme
Publisher: Albin Michel
ISBN: 2226231935
Category : Social Science
Languages : fr
Pages : 161

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Book Description
Depuis la seconde guerre mondiale, le nombre de décès provoqués par le cancer a doublé en France : 150 000 par an ! Le tabac, premier accusé, n'en explique que 30 000. Les autres sont essentiellement liés à la dégradation de notre environnement. Le cancer est devenu une « maladie de civilisation ». Ce phénomène s'observe dans l'ensemble des pays industrialisés. « On soigne les malades atteints du cancer, constate le professeur Dominique Belpomme, et non l'environnement qui est lui-même malade. » Des affections cardiovasculaires à la stérilité masculine en passant par le diabète, l'asthme... nombre des maux dont nous souffrons ne sont plus d'origine naturelle mais artificielle, fabriqués en quelque sorte par l'homme. À court terme, c'est la survie de l'espèce humaine qui pourrait être mise en cause.