This is an introductory of environmental problem to promote companies’ actions. Key ideas of the paper are three: three economies, three factors, and three steps.
Three economies
The author says global economy consist of three economy: market economy, survival economy, and nature’s economy. Market economy is industrial society. It is the familiar world of commerce comprising both the developed nations and the emerging economies. Survival economy is pre-industrial society. It is traditional, village-based way of life found in the rural part of most developing countries. Nature’s economy consists of the natural system and resources that support market and survival economies. Environmental problem and pollutions are occurred by interdependence among three economies.
Three factors
This is a formula of environmental burden. Environmental burden(EB)=population(P)×affluence(A)×technology(T). Nearly three decades ago, environmentalists made it. Author says P and A are difficult to control because they are inversely correlated. Changing technology is best and only solution for the problem. Companies are most important actors because “technology is the business of business”.
Three stages
The steps are phase of company to change their businesses more sustainable. Stage one is pollution prevention. In this phase, companies shift from pollution control to pollution prevention. Stage two is product stewardship. This means companies consider sustainability of full life cycle of their products. Last stage is clean technology. In this phase, companies develop sustainable technology and offer it where it is needed.
I thought somewhat strange because I do not think firm is only actor to solve environmental problem. The descriptions of the paper is so rough because what “sustainability” or “environmental” means is not clear. Though three concepts are interesting, I do not like the taste of the author, like activist.
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