1234 | 962 | Doubting the ‘Solutions’: Uncovering the Real Effectiveness of Terms Used to Save the World | Marcy Isabella
It is almost too easy to open a project by noting the dire state of our planet, both socially and environmentally. We can see the effects of social-economic inequalities, as well as a growing risk of an ecological catastrophe that many are yet to comprehend the gravity of. In response to this, we are increasingly looking at concepts like resilience, sustainability, right to the city, circular economy, blue growth, zero waste, and green economy, all of which come with their dimmed definitions and aims. Often, these are presented as the solution to the contemporary socio-ecological crisis. In 2006, Low and Gleeson published an article titled ‘If Sustainability Is Everything, Maybe It’s Nothing?’, a point this work take further by asking if something is everything, maybe it’s nothing?_x000D_
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Therefore, this work suggests that we should be wary of the single-issue approaches that are presented as the answer to our world’s problems and instead take a more holistic approach. Additionally, we should question the ontology and epistemology behind these terms, to understand how well they can address the issues at stake. By analysing the underlying assumptions of these terms and how they grasp reality, we can determine the extent to which they are effective to tackle todays crisis, or whether they are a form of greenwashing or merely business as usual.
Marcy Isabella
Stockton University (U.S.)
ID Abstract: 962