Economics for a Crowded Planet

The subtitle of this book, "Economics for a Crowded Planet" aptly describes the main problem that is to be confronted. The bottom line: earth contains limited resources, and its inhabitants must find an equilibrium. Crossing the tipping point will lead to global disaster.

As the book outlines, there is a direct correlation between income and energy usage, and between energy usage and environmental impact. Overall global output for all these variables are increasing at an exponential rate, the rate of which is specifically detailed by the theory of convergence (the average income of poorer countries increases at a greater rate than richer ones). This is not surprising, considering the human population is increasing exponentially. The planet can keep regenerating its resources to a certain extent, but once that capacity is overtaxed, the environmental damage is more or less permanent. The longevity of the human race depends on its ability to keep the energy usage under the earth's regeneration limit by either a) careful implementation of policies and technology (ideal) and b) limiting human population (perhaps not very ethical). The more realistic approach (that Sachs seems to hold) is to accept that the current trends lead to the inevitable depletion of the planet's resources, and the goal should be to slow the deterioration as much as possible.

Sachs presents two main points in chapter two: 1) urbanization and industrialization brought about by the latest technologies is good and bad and 2) what needs to be done in order to save the planet. Urbanization and technology, to put it briefly, increases the standard of living for the overall population and allows it to grow, but does so at the cost of burdening the ecosystem. I believe Sachs presents this dilemma fairly, because he equally portrays the importance of the individual's standard of living and conserving the planet. He also does not belittle human life by implying in any way that people are disposable. (Some extremists will say that if humans destroy the planet, the planet will just destroy humans back, and then regenerate itself). Because life, security, and comfort is important, we as a global society must find ways to prolong our ability meet these needs by stretching the limited resources. In regards to the second point, "what needs to be done," I originally shared the sentiments of many of our classmates in thinking that he was being too optimistic. However, in his conclusion he states: "To solve the remaining dire problems of environmental degradation, population growth, and extreme poverty, we will need to create a new model of twenty-first cooperation, one that builds on past successes and overcomes today's widespread pessimism and lack of leadership." It is pessimism that will be the downfall of the human race. Solutions, of any kind, should be carefully considered and reviewed. If urgency is felt, and a global mentality of cooperation adopted, the world will also be taking a giant step towards the idealized concept of world peace.