Exploring Energy Solutions for Industrial Society

Abstract

After outlining the resource and ecological implications of rich world living standards and economic systems, hypothetical general strategies for movement towards sustainability are explored. The first is the option most likely to be taken, involving reliance on greater energy efficiency and similar technical advance within a basically business as usual orientation towards living standards and the growth economy. The second involves reliance on nuclear energy. The third involves reliance on renewable energy. It is argued that none of these three options is viable, leaving a fourth whereby sustainability can only be achieved in the long term via change to simpler lifestyles, more self-sufficient settlements and a zero-growth economy.