So, Are Humans Even Capable of Living Sustainably?
The question of whether humans can live sustainably on Earth has been a profound topic of debate among environmentalists, scientists, and thinkers. As someone with a background in renewable energy and a passion for cultural analysis, I’ve pondered this question from various angles. The challenge is multifaceted, involving not just technological advancements but also a fundamental shift in how we view our relationship with the planet and each other.
The Roots of Climate Change: A Historical Perspective
I worked in the renewable energy sector for a number of years, and so I think my first ideas of where climate change came from was there – Our climate is heating because we’ve disrupted the carbon-cycle by burning way too much fossil fuel > which releases huge quantities of carbon (that was energy captured and stored by plants underground over millions of years) > This traps heat and causes temperatures to rise > Since the industrial revolution we’ve burned nearly the whole world’s supply of easily accessible fossil fuels created over millennia releasing all that stored energy in a mere 200-250 years a rate that far exceeds the planet's capacity to regenerate and absorb the resulting carbon emissions.
To combat climate change, we need a “green energy revolution” that emphasises renewable energy sources, advanced storage solutions, and carbon capture technologies. Barry Lord’s book, Art and Energy, explores how a new energy future will demand a cultural transformation, moving beyond a mere reduction in carbon emissions to a fundamental rethinking of how we live, collaborate, and create.
Cultural Influences and Industrialisation
The origins of the Industrial Revolution in the UK prompt us to examine whether there is something intrinsic to British (or broadly Western) cultural values that contributed to our current environmental challenges. The Industrial Revolution was not an isolated phenomenon but part of a broader global trend driven by technological advancements, economic pressures, and evolving political and social conditions.
The inevitability of industrialisation can be attributed to a confluence of factors:
Technological Innovation: Advances in science and engineering were widespread in Europe, not just in the UK. The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment created a fertile ground for technological progress.
Economic Pressures: Global trade and colonial expansion increased demand for goods, prompting the need for more efficient production methods.
Resource Availability: Coal and iron deposits were found in multiple regions, not exclusively in the UK, making industrialisation feasible in other parts of Europe.
Political and Social Conditions: Political stability and growing urbanisation in various European countries provided the backdrop for industrial growth.
Proto-Industrialisation: Many regions had decentralised manufacturing systems that were transitioning towards more efficient production methods.
Spread of Ideas: The rapid dissemination of industrial technologies across Europe showed that the revolution was not solely dependent on the UK.
Thus, while the UK played a pivotal role, industrialisation was a global phenomenon waiting to happen. One could argue that it reflects human desires and needs rather than the failings of any particular culture.
The Nature of Human Desire and Satisfaction
Understanding whether humans can live sustainably also involves exploring our inherent desires. Human appetites encompass basic needs as well as cravings for wealth, status, and novelty. Biological drives, psychological factors, and cultural influences all contribute to our constant pursuit of more.
Key points include:
Biological Drives: Evolutionary mechanisms encourage us to seek food, security, and reproductive opportunities. The brain’s reward system, driven by dopamine, perpetuates a cycle of craving and temporary satisfaction.
Psychological Factors: Humans seek novelty and compare themselves to others, leading to a cycle of craving and discontent. Emotional needs and insecurities also drive excessive consumption.
Cultural Influences: Consumer culture and societal values often prioritise material success and achievement, fuelling continuous desire.
Philosophical Perspectives: Philosophers like Schopenhauer have argued that human desire is a never-ending cycle of striving and dissatisfaction.
Spiritual and Ethical Views: Many spiritual traditions, such as Buddhism, view craving as a source of suffering, advocating for moderation and contentment.
In essence, while temporary satisfaction is achievable, humans often find themselves yearning for more due to biological, psychological, and cultural factors. The pursuit of balance—between ambition and contentment—is a central challenge.
Towards a Sustainable Future: Lessons from the Past
Despite the challenges, historical examples of sustainable living provide hope. Many traditional and indigenous cultures practiced sustainable methods, living in harmony with their environments rather than exploiting them destructively.
Examples include:
Indigenous Cultures: Hunter-gatherer societies and Native American cultures practiced resource management techniques that maintained ecological balance.
Agricultural Practices: Polynesians, Southeast Asians, and Andean cultures developed farming methods that preserved soil health and biodiversity.
Regenerative Practices: Indigenous peoples in the Amazon created fertile soils through practices that improved land quality.
Cultural Stewardship: Many cultures integrated spiritual and governance systems that emphasised environmental care.
These practices highlight that humans are capable of living sustainably when they align their values and actions with ecological principles.
How have indigenous cultures managed the human instincts for over consumption?
Indigenous cultures around the world have developed various ways to manage and often limit over-consumption, leveraging cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and community norms. Here are some key strategies and principles that indigenous cultures have used to contain human instincts for over-consumption:
Sustainable Practices and Resource Management
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK): Indigenous peoples have developed intricate systems of resource management based on deep knowledge of their environments. This includes practices like rotating crops, controlled burns, and sustainable hunting and fishing techniques. TEK emphasises balance and long-term sustainability, preventing over-consumption of resources.
Resource Allocation: Many indigenous cultures have systems for allocating resources based on communal needs rather than individual desires. For instance, hunting quotas or fishing limits are set to ensure that resources are used in a way that maintains ecological balance.
Cultural Norms and Values
Values of Moderation: Many indigenous cultures value moderation and balance in consumption. This is often reflected in spiritual beliefs that emphasise harmony with nature and the importance of not taking more than what is needed.
Rituals and Ceremonies: Rituals and ceremonies play a significant role in reinforcing the values of respect and restraint. For example, some cultures have ceremonial feasts where food is shared communally, reinforcing the idea that consumption is a collective responsibility rather than an individual right.
Spiritual Beliefs and Practices
Sacredness of Nature: Many indigenous cultures view nature and its resources as sacred. This reverence for the natural world fosters a sense of responsibility and stewardship, discouraging excessive exploitation. For instance, the concept of the "sacredness" of animals or plants can lead to practices that limit hunting or gathering to what is necessary.
Ancestral Wisdom: Spiritual beliefs often involve honoring ancestors who lived in harmony with the land. This ancestral wisdom is passed down through generations, emphasising the importance of sustainability and the dangers of over-consumption.
Community and Social Structures
Communal Living: Indigenous societies often have communal living arrangements where resources are shared. This system reduces the incentives for individuals to over-consume, as resources are distributed based on collective needs rather than individual accumulation.
Social Norms and Enforcement: Social norms within indigenous communities often discourage over-consumption. Social pressure and community enforcement mechanisms help ensure that resources are used responsibly.
Holistic Worldview
Interconnectedness: Many indigenous cultures have a holistic worldview that emphasises the interconnectedness of all life forms. This perspective fosters an understanding that over-consumption of one resource can disrupt the balance of the entire ecosystem, leading to adverse effects on other species and future generations.
Circular Economies: Indigenous cultures often practice circular economies where waste is minimised, and materials are recycled or repurposed. This reduces the need for excessive consumption of new resources.
Education and Tradition
Oral Traditions: Knowledge about sustainable practices and the importance of moderation is often transmitted through oral traditions and storytelling. These cultural narratives reinforce the values of balance and responsible consumption.
Traditional Skills and Crafts: Indigenous cultures often emphasise traditional skills and crafts that use materials in a way that honors their source. For example, crafting with natural materials often involves using every part of the resource, reducing waste and promoting respect for nature.
Indigenous cultures have developed sophisticated systems to manage consumption and maintain balance with their environments. These systems are deeply rooted in cultural practices, spiritual beliefs, and communal values, and they offer valuable insights into sustainable living. By integrating respect for nature, community-oriented practices, and holistic worldviews, indigenous cultures provide important lessons on how to curb over-consumption and promote long-term ecological sustainability.
A Smart Future of Sustainable Living
As The Art and Energy team have been contemplating Smart Energy for a new commission with West Midlands Combined Authority to celebrate the launch of their new Smart Energy Systems Strategy which has been co-designed by over 100 organisations across the region to determine how to best work together for a better world.
Looking forward, a “smart energy system” represents an important path to a more sustainable future. It involves advanced technologies and strategies that enhance energy efficiency and integrate renewable sources. Key components include:
Advanced Metering: Smart meters and communication networks provide real-time data and enable dynamic energy management.
Smart Grid Technology: Automated systems improve grid reliability and efficiency, integrating renewable resources.
Renewable Integration: Distributed energy resources and energy storage smooth out supply and demand fluctuations and in particular matching that local generation with energy users.
Energy Management Systems: Optimising energy use in buildings and industries to reduce consumption.
Consumer Engagement: Smart appliances and apps empower individuals to manage their energy use more effectively.
Data Analytics: Machine learning and real-time monitoring enhance system performance.
Cybersecurity: Protecting data and systems from cyber threats.
Electric Vehicle Integration: Smart charging and vehicle-to-grid technologies enhance energy flexibility.
Grid Modernisation: Technologies like HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) transmission and FACTS (Advanced static power electronic-based devices) to improve grid stability.
Integrated Solutions: Holistic management of energy generation, storage, and consumption.
These advancements promise to transform our culture by fostering environmental awareness, empowering consumers, and reshaping economic priorities.
There is a bit of a chicken and egg situation with all technological developments and these technological developments won’t happen on their own - They’re innovations and that require PEOPLE, learning, growing, changing, preparing, sharing, planning, collaborating, participating, adapting, agreeing new ways of being together, doing and thinking and imagining and they will present new challenges. Importantly they require us to desire them. To want change. To want things to be better and to believe enough in humanity’s capacities for change in order to invest our time, our money and our efforts.
The widespread adoption of a smart energy system has the potential to significantly impact various aspects of culture and daily life.
The great dream for how a Smart Energy System might change our culture:
Greater Environmental Awareness and Responsibility
Informed Decisions: With access to real-time data on energy usage and its environmental impact, individuals and organisations can make more informed choices. This can foster a greater sense of responsibility towards energy conservation and environmental stewardship.
Sustainable Living: As people become more aware of their energy consumption patterns and the benefits of renewable energy, there may be a cultural shift towards more sustainable living practices, such as reducing energy waste and adopting green technologies.
Empowerment and Engagement
Consumer Empowerment: Smart energy systems provide consumers with tools and information to manage their energy usage more effectively. This could lead to greater consumer engagement and empowerment, as people take a more active role in managing their energy consumption and costs.
Community Participation: Increased involvement in demand response programs and local energy initiatives can strengthen community ties and foster a culture of collective responsibility.
Changes in Social Norms and Behaviours
Energy Efficiency as a Norm: As energy-efficient technologies become more common and visible, they may set new social norms around energy use. Practices such as smart thermostats, energy-efficient appliances, and mindful consumption may become standard.
New Behavioral Patterns: Awareness of real-time energy prices and availability might influence daily routines and behaviors. For instance, people might shift energy-intensive activities to off-peak times or use energy more strategically.
Economic Shifts and New Opportunities
Job Creation and Industry Growth: The development and deployment of smart energy technologies can create new job opportunities and industries. This can shift economic priorities and cultural attitudes towards emerging fields like renewable energy, energy management, and smart grid technology.
Economic Resilience: More efficient energy systems can lead to cost savings and economic stability, potentially changing how individuals and businesses approach budgeting and investment in energy.
Impact on Urban and Rural Landscapes
Smart Cities: As cities adopt smart grid technologies and integrate energy management into urban planning, this can transform urban landscapes. New infrastructure and design elements, such as green roofs, smart lighting, and energy-efficient buildings, will become more common.
Rural Connectivity: Smart energy systems can improve energy access in rural areas, bridging gaps between urban and rural experiences and potentially altering social dynamics in these communities.
Cultural Shifts in Consumption and Convenience
On-Demand Services: The convenience of managing energy use and accessing real-time data may lead to a cultural shift towards on-demand services and more personalised experiences. Consumers may expect similar convenience in other areas of their lives.
Shift in Energy Consumption Patterns: As smart technologies enable more precise control over energy use, there may be a cultural shift towards valuing efficiency and resourcefulness.
Education and Awareness
Educational Integration: The focus on smart energy systems may lead to increased emphasis on energy education in schools and communities. This can foster a culture of innovation and problem-solving related to energy and environmental issues.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Governments and organisations may run campaigns to promote energy literacy and encourage adoption of smart technologies, influencing public attitudes and behaviors.
Privacy and Data Security Concerns
Data Sensitivity: The collection of detailed energy usage data raises privacy and security concerns. Cultural attitudes towards data privacy and security may evolve as people become more aware of how their data is used and protected.
Cultural Values and Technological Integration
Values of Innovation: Embracing smart energy systems may reinforce cultural values around technological innovation and progress. This could inspire further advancements and integrate new technologies into daily life.
Resilience and Adaptation: Cultures that prioritise resilience and adaptability might more readily embrace smart energy systems as a means to address challenges related to climate change and energy security.
Global Perspective and Collaboration
International Collaboration: The global nature of energy systems means that cultures worldwide might collaborate more closely on energy solutions and sustainability initiatives. This can lead to a more interconnected and cooperative global culture focused on shared goals.
The implementation of a smart energy system could drive significant cultural changes, from altering daily behaviours and social norms to reshaping economic priorities and community dynamics. As individuals and societies adapt to these changes, they may develop new values and practices that reflect a growing emphasis on efficiency, sustainability, and technological engagement.
A Smart Energy System is a logical step for improving our energy system, and it is also import to reflect on what drives human behaviour. While humans have a notable capacity for logical reasoning and problem-solving, our behaviour is often influenced by a wide range of factors beyond pure logic. Emotions, social influences, limited information, cognitive biases, and creative thinking all play significant roles in how we make decisions. Therefore, while we are capable of logical thought, we are not solely logical creatures; our decisions and behaviours reflect a blend of rationality, emotion, and social context.
From my perspective, practicing and getting involved in the arts can drive personal growth and behaviour change, bring communities together, increase empathy and build trust and also support people dealing with big issues. So, if we’re going to be developing new skills, we may wish to think laterally and rekindle our arts practices to help us be a bit smarter!
Conclusion
The journey toward sustainable living is complex and challenging, but not insurmountable. By learning from historical practices, embracing technological innovations, and shifting cultural values, we can strive to live in harmony with the planet. The pursuit of sustainability is not just about adopting new technologies but also about cultivating a culture of balance, empathy, and respect for the natural world.