Equilibrium

Well, I dint have the heart to fill the title of the post with the contents of the post.

Well it is all in one line :

"Equilibrium between Environment and Economy is an elusive concept"

Wonder what is that ? That is the topic for discussion for the next envir econs class (next Monday) and I am bogged down with too many points in support of the statement. I believe in the statement. The Prof is an excellent teacher and am sure it wont be the kinda discussion that will have a few people talking and go on. I am sure it will be an interesting one.

I am only wondering what would the people who believe in the opposition would raise ? I dont think anyone would oppose this statement. But still would like to hear if any readers of this post would oppose this view ?

If you have points to support this view also, pls do, i do not mind even overlaps. It would sure help me to understand things.

The introductory class Natural capital utilization through two laws of matter :

(1) Input equals Output ( i say you cannot destroy or create matter)

(2) Entropy increases as more utilization occurs. (meaning, a pristine natural environment has low entropy, whereas a cleared forest has high entropy)

Entropy refers to the energy that is not available for work

I can only realize that the statement is true, based on these points :

(1) distribution of resources is uneven in the globe

(2) Economic development requires natural capital (and thus environmental degradation at a faster pace)

(3) Population growth feeds market demands for goods and services (more envir degradation)

(4) No societies move towards modest consumption (Drive towards "better" quality of life)

(5) Resilience of natural environment from degradation cannot pace up with the amount of extraction

Thats it !!

I cannot think that technology can offer solutions such that economy and environment reach an equilibrium. Technology might offer solutions, but they will lead to some other problem which might actually contribute to environmental degradation much more. (eg. naikutti's post, nuclear energy and what not?)

Anyone has an argument against this ?

I would be fascinated to listen to ficititious anticipations like "matrix" - an atmosphere that is highly controlled and manicured, dominated by automated machines reducing need for human work and eliminating weak people....(artificial selection)

Waiting ....