I was heading to Brussels recently. A compelling climate initiative had just wrapped up, and my climate-conscious financier invited a select group to a parting soirée.
Why does the private sector always need a carrot to do something for the greater good? Their profits have been based on externalizing environmental and social costs for centuries. And we as a society carry the heavy burden of inequality and a degraded environment. It simply has to stop (you see I'm dreaming...).
I dream too. But they won't disappear. I've learnt that in the past. Hence the carrot for them to prevent the worst. But another truth is that capitalism can do wondrous things (education, medical progress and much more) when the carrot is sweet and the profits are enormous. The latter raises the 100-billion-dollar question: How can you profit from conservation with the best of intentions?
I doubt that capitalism and a sustainable protection of the environment match together. I don't talk about green washing here, which is all too prevalent.
I dream too. But they won't disappear. I've learnt that in the past. Hence the carrot for them to prevent the worst. But another truth is that capitalism can do wondrous things (education, medical progress and much more) when the carrot is sweet and the profits are enormous. The latter raises the 100-billion-dollar question: How can you profit from conservation with the best of intentions?
Why does the private sector always need a carrot to do something for the greater good? Their profits have been based on externalizing environmental and social costs for centuries. And we as a society carry the heavy burden of inequality and a degraded environment. It simply has to stop (you see I'm dreaming...).
I dream too. But they won't disappear. I've learnt that in the past. Hence the carrot for them to prevent the worst. But another truth is that capitalism can do wondrous things (education, medical progress and much more) when the carrot is sweet and the profits are enormous. The latter raises the 100-billion-dollar question: How can you profit from conservation with the best of intentions?
I doubt that capitalism and a sustainable protection of the environment match together. I don't talk about green washing here, which is all too prevalent.
I dream too. But they won't disappear. I've learnt that in the past. Hence the carrot for them to prevent the worst. But another truth is that capitalism can do wondrous things (education, medical progress and much more) when the carrot is sweet and the profits are enormous. The latter raises the 100-billion-dollar question: How can you profit from conservation with the best of intentions?
Great insights. Thank you for This perspective