More from less : the surprising story of how we learned to prosper using fewer resources--and what happens next / Andrew McAfee.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McAfee, Andrew, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Consumption (Economics)--Environmental aspects.

Natural resources--Environmental aspects.

Conservation of natural resources.

Environmentalism.

Technology--Economic aspects.

Capitalism.

Natural resources.

Consumption (Economics).

Physical Description:

xii, 337 pages : graphs ; 24 cm

Edition:

First Scribner hardcover edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Scribner, 2019.

Summary:

"A surprising analysis of the decline in consumption of natural resources despite the explosion of goods, prosperity, and population"-- Provided by publisher.

Throughout history, the only way for humanity to grow was by degrading the Earth: chopping down forests, fouling the air and water, and endlessly digging out resources. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, the reigning argument has been that taking better care of the planet means radically changing course: reducing our consumption, tightening our belts, learning to share and reuse, restraining growth. Is that argument correct? Absolutely not. In More from Less, McAfee argues that to solve our ecological problems we don't need to make radical changes. Instead, we need to do more of what we're already doing: growing technologically sophisticated market-based economies around the world. How can he possibly make this claim? Because of the evidence. America--a large, high-tech country that accounts for about 25% of the global economy--is now generally using less of most resources year after year, even as its economy and population continue to grow. What's more, the US is polluting the air and water less, emitting fewer greenhouse gases, and replenishing endangered animal populations. And, as McAfee shows, America is not alone. Other countries are also transforming themselves in fundamental ways. What has made this turnabout possible? One thing, primarily: the collaboration between technology and capitalism, although good governance and public awareness have also been critical. McAfee does warn of issues that haven't been solved, like global warming, overfishing, and communities left behind as capitalism and tech progress race forward. But overall, More from Less is a revelatory, paradigm-shifting account of how we've stumbled into an unexpectedly better balance with nature--one that holds out the promise of more abundant and greener centuries ahead.

Contents:

Introduction : README

All the Malthusian millennia

Power over the earth : the industrial era

Industrial errors

Earth Day and its debates

The dematerialization surprise

Crib notes

What causes dematerialization : markets and marvels

Adam Smith said that : a few words about capitalism

What else is needed : people and policies

The global gallop of the four horsemen

Getting so much better

Powers of concentration

Stressed be the tie that binds : disconnection

Looking ahead : the world cleanses itself this way

Inventions : how to be good

Conclusion : our next planet.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781982103576

1982103574

9781982103583

1982103582

OCLC:

1112803704