The participants in a roundtable discussion that took place in May 2013 at LMU’s Center for Advanced Studies draw on their collective experience in engineering, anthropology, environmental justice, and city politics, in order to explore the impact of waste, and the strategies we should, and currently do, employ as we work towards zero waste in the world.
Though a desirable environmental prospect, many wonder if zero waste is a realistic goal or merely a pipe dream. Starting from an analysis of the laws of thermodynamics, this article argues that it is an impossible ideal; however, along with the principles of the circular economy and reform of modern economic systems, the idea of zero waste can provide valuable insights into how we can establish a future ecological civilization.
Society’s approach to environmental protection has so far relied on certain prevailing, but perhaps specious, beliefs—that we cannot impact the environment positively, or that environmental protection is incompatible with economic growth. Braungart explores how, rather than making ineffective changes to an already broken system, it would be more beneficial to rethink that system entirely.
Corporate social and environmental responsibility could help drive the cultural shift needed to tackle climate change issues.
Wild Earth 8, no. 3 features articles on the relationship between agriculture and biodiversity as well as an examination of whether conservation biology needs natural history. The issue also provides updates on the Wildlands Project.
In case studies ranging from the Early Modern secondhand trade to utopian visions of human-powered vehicles, the contributions gathered here explore the historical fortunes of bicycling and waste recycling—tracing their development over time and providing valuable context for the policy successes and failures of today.
Although simply reducing food miles does not guarantee a more sustainable diet, choosing to participate in alternative local food systems instead of the conventional food system is a sure way to increase your access to environmentally friendly food and to support more ecologically sustainable agricultural practices.
This issue of Earth First! is filled with essays about various themes such as sustainable agriculture, nuclear disarmament, and deep ecology.
This volume of RCC Perspectives offers insights into the motivations, benefits, and limitations of local food systems. It aims to shed light on the complexity of the debate while remaining unified by a single message: that where our food comes from and how it is produced matters.
Content
