Sustainability Myths: Part 2
Learning activity
Key Takeaways
We explored two further “myths” about sustainability: that the free market alone can address sustainability challenges, and that technology is a cure-all.
Myth #3: The ‘Invisible Hand’ will Solve our Sustainability Problem
- Unregulated markets often prioritise short-term profit over long-term sustainability goals.
- This inherent limitation means companies aim to produce goods and services cost-effectively for profit, not necessarily to provide public goods or address sustainability.Myth #4: Technology is the Panacea
- Although technological advancement presents great opportunities for sustainability, many technologies are either nonexistent, too expensive, or underperforming at scale.
- Relying solely on technology can lead to a shirking of responsibility by governments, businesses, and individuals to address the root causes of the challenges we face today.
Further Readings
- Jameson Dow (2022)World’s largest direct air carbon capture facility will reduce CO2 by .0001%electrek
- Laurence Fletcher and Joshua Oliver (2022)Green investing: the risk of a new mis-selling scandalFinancial Times
- Chandran Nair (2021)Net Zero and Carbon Neutrality: Unscientific Myths for an US and THEM WorldClub of Rome
- Clea Simon (2022)Can tech save us from worst of climate change effects? Doesn’t look goodThe Harvard Gazette
- Alexandra Spiliakos (2019)Tragedy of the commons: what it is and 5 examplesHarvard Business School
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2021)New Report Says U.S. Should Cautiously Pursue Solar Geoengineering Research to Better Understand Options for Responding to Climate Change Risks
- IEA (2021)Total mineral demand for clean energy technologies by scenario, 2010-2040
- Harriet Agnew et al. (2022)How ESG investing came to a reckoningFinancial Times
- James Temple (2021)Carbon removal hype is becoming a dangerous distractionMIT Technology Review
- Mark Carney (2015)Breaking the tragedy of the horizon - climate change and financial stabilityBank of England
- Claire Skinner (2023)How to move beyond the anti-ESG backlashFinancial Times