If we are to save humanity and the planet from the worst mass extinction of all time, worse even than that at the end of the Permian, we must stop at two degrees.
Mark LynasRead
Conventional economic theory... counts the depletion of resources as the accumulation of wealth.
Interpretation
This quote critiques traditional economic views that mistake resource depletion for wealth accumulation.
Mark Lynas highlights a fundamental flaw in conventional economic theory, which equates the reduction of natural resources with the generation of wealth. This perspective can lead to harmful practices that prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability, ultimately disregarding the consequences of depleting the planet's resources.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about sustainable development at a conference.
If we are to save humanity and the planet from the worst mass extinction of all time, worse even than that at the end of the Permian, we must stop at two degrees.
Economic growth and environmental protection are not at odds. They're opposite sides of the same coin if you're looking at longer-term prosperity.
Good economic theory must give the people the chance to use their talents to build their own lives. We must get away from the traditional route where the rich will do the business and the poor will depend on private or public charity.
I think there's a lot of merit in an international economy and global markets, but they're not sufficient because markets don't look after social needs.
There is a basic lesson on financial crises that governments tend to wait too long, underestimate the risks, want to do too little. And it ultimately gets away from them, and they end up spending more money, causing much more damage to the economy.
There should be no unemployment. There is large percentage of labor now which cannot make a living because wages are not high enough. That is industry's 2nd job. 1st job is to make good product. 2nd pay a good wage.
Most high-income people in our country do not realize that their incomes are being subsidized by their protection from competition from highly skilled people who are prevented from immigrating to the United States. But we need such skills in order to staff our productive economy, so that the standard of living for Americans as a whole can grow.
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