GIFT.ed logo

Sustainability Myths: Part 2

Learning activity

Take some time to reflect on how your understanding of the role of technology in solving sustainability challenges has evolved.

What is ONE way that you think this perception aligns or conflicts with the reality of technological solutions being developed within your industry and why?

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

Download Key Takeaways (PDF)
Further Readings
  1. Jameson Dow (2022)World’s largest direct air carbon capture facility will reduce CO2 by .0001%electrek
  2. Laurence Fletcher and Joshua Oliver (2022)Green investing: the risk of a new mis-selling scandalFinancial Times
  3. Chandran Nair (2021)Net Zero and Carbon Neutrality: Unscientific Myths for an US and THEM WorldClub of Rome
  4. Clea Simon (2022)Can tech save us from worst of climate change effects? Doesn’t look goodThe Harvard Gazette
  5. Alexandra Spiliakos (2019)Tragedy of the commons: what it is and 5 examplesHarvard Business School
  6. 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
  7. IEA (2021)Total mineral demand for clean energy technologies by scenario, 2010-2040
  8. Harriet Agnew et al. (2022)How ESG investing came to a reckoningFinancial Times
  9. James Temple (2021)Carbon removal hype is becoming a dangerous distractionMIT Technology Review
  10. Mark Carney (2015)Breaking the tragedy of the horizon - climate change and financial stabilityBank of England
  11. Claire Skinner (2023)How to move beyond the anti-ESG backlashFinancial Times