A World of Abundance

Abstract

Industry and the environment appear to be at odds because current methods of production, extraction, and disposal are destructive to the natural world. Conventional responses, such as eco-efficiency, focus on doing more with less, restricting industry, and curtailing growth. We view the conflict between industry and the environment as a design problem. Instead of simply reducing industry's negative effects, we suggest companies redesign products and processes for healthy, long-term prosperity. We present a new paradigm for industry, eco-effectiveness; three new design principles: waste equals food, use current solar income, and respect diversity; new decision criteria that integrate ecology, economy, and equity; and beginning steps businesses can take towards a world of abundance, rather than one of limits and constraints.