Steps towards a Sustainable Future

NO / reduce

YES / increase

POPULATION

·         uncontrolled growth

·         stabilise and reduce by humane methods

·         education & family planning

·         availability of contraceptives

ENERGY

o       coal

o       natural gas

o       nuclear power

o       wood

o       bio-ethanol

o       biodiesel (using arable land or food crops)

o       tidal power (when damaging estuaries)

o       hydrogen produced from fossil fuels

·         solar

·         wind

·         wave

·         geothermal

·         biodiesel (from algae, localised, where sufficient water available, not using arable land)

·         hydrogen storage of electrical energy (including fuel cells)

·         increased efficiency

·         ‘electranet' with smart technology to regulate electricity use

·         reduced distribution distances

TRANSPORT

·         dominance of road vehicles

·         more fuel-efficient petrol & diesel cars

·         hydrogen fueled cars

·         air travel

·         coal and oil-powered railways

·         cycling

·         walking

·         fewer cars

·         electric rail (heavy & light)

·         electric road vehicles (limited)

·         home deliveries

·         telecommuting

ECONOMY

·         growth economy

·         globalisation (of goods trade)

·         over-specialisation

·         intra-industry trade

·         capital-intensive

·         planned obsolescence

·         linear production processes

·         throw-away economy

·         poverty & inequality

·         sustainable economy

·         localisation (of goods trade)

·         self-sufficiency (where possible)

·         labour-intensive

·         mass production of most efficient and durable models

·         zero waste

·         cyclical production & consumption processes

·         reduction, re-use & recycling of materials

·         reduced packaging

·         more equitable distribution of income & wealth

·         equality of opportunity

AGRICULTURE

·         fossil fueled

·         large-scale

·         capital intensive

·         mono-crop

·         irrigation-intensive

·         organic & permaculture

·         small-scale

·         labour-intensive

·         biodiesel-powered

·         rural & urban

·         drip irrigated

URBAN PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE

·         suburban sprawl

·         low-density housing

·         energy inefficient

·         poorly insulated

·         car-dependent

·         community-based

·         mixed land-use zoning (agricultural, residential, commercial, community services)

·         suitable for cycling and walking

·         densification along existing railways

·         warehouses close to railways

·         worker residences close to factories

·         energy efficient, well-insulated buildings