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Is waste a good measure of economic system’s efficiency?

Is waste a good measure of economic system’s efficiency?. Key Global Issues. Industrialization of the agro-slivo-pastoral economic systems has determined the quantitative growth in waste generation.

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Is waste a good measure of economic system’s efficiency?

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  1. Is waste a good measure of economic system’s efficiency?

  2. Key Global Issues Industrialization of the agro-slivo-pastoral economic systems has determined the quantitative growth in waste generation. In the 20th century the world’s urban population grew tenfold, most of it in the less industrialized countries where their in-built weaknesses in waste management (unfamiliarity, technical deficit, lack of public awareness) are creating very risky situations The combination of industrialization and urbanization is responsible for the generation of billions of tonnes of waste every year on a global scale. Strategic imperatives for global sustainability: a) resource-productivity above labour-productivity; b) checking urbanization; c) improving the conditions of work (diversification) and life in the rural areas.

  3. Key Global Issues Current international conventions (e.g. Basel Convention) and national regulations are insufficient and inadequate to tackle the global waste management because the waste is embedded in the materials and products that are being traded in the world market. With the expansion of global market and with the increase in the volume of trade in materials and products the waste is ever-increasing and widely circulating. The ‘growth’-centered paradigm of economic development, championed by governments and international organizations, inevitably promotes a voracious consumership and, therefore, a waste-generating tendency everywhere. The growth imperative is in direct contradiction with the search for global sustainability.

  4. New Horizons A strong single global institution to standardize and monitor and a multiple-lane decentralized cooperation among various local actors of different countries (municipalities, provinces, NGOs, firms); global monitoring (traceability and impact assessment) Decentralized cooperation for civic and institutional development; public scrutiny of waste management in each locality; sustained local and national-level public campaigns are needed to raise awareness about waste-related issues Three possible parameters for sustainable economic progress measurement of communities and nations which, once scientifically established, may eventually accomplish the paradigm shift in global economy: • Habitat Integrity Index: universally verifiable measurement to determine the general health and carrying capacity of a specific locality (it means less waste, more re-use and re-cycle, better disposal). • Human Vulnerability Assessment Score: ranking of the societies based on the threats to human security, public health, livelihood, rights and dignity (waste as one of the major threats). • Place-brand Value Index: prestige and attractiveness (visits, investments) of a place-system (waste management plays a significant role).

  5. New urgent global issue: waste.New challenge: prosperitywithout (or, with as less as possible) waste Focus shift needed: • From hazardous to all in waste-related international agreements, regulation and enforcement (all wastes are ‘hazardous’). • From global to multi-local. • From downstream solutions to upstream prevention, care and control. Strategic postures: • Outward posture: managing the waste already generated (reducing vulnerability and risks) • Inward posture: wellness culture - the commons, the essentials and the intangibles. • Forward posture: innovative solutions in the transition to sustainable economy • Leadership: scenario of reference (?), role-models (!) Paradigm shift needed: • From ‘development’ centered on ‘growth’ to ‘upliftment’ measured by Freedom-from-Waste Index (FWI, is the central criterion for habitat integrity). • From Human Development Index (HDI) to Human Vulnerability Assessment Score (HumVAS) • From labourproductivity to resource efficiency. • From quality of products to the quality of context (place-brand).

  6. Ecological footprint The ecological footprint compares human demand with planet Earth's ecological capacity to regenerate. Using this assessment, it is possible to estimate how much of the Earth (or how many planet Earths) it would take to support humanity if everybody lived a given lifestyle For 2005, humanity's total ecological footprint was estimated at 1.3 planet Earths - in other words, humanity uses ecological services 1.3 times as fast as Earth can renew them

  7. Ecological footprint Source: Global Footprint Network, 2011

  8. Ecological creditors and debtors, 1961 - 2005 Source: Global Footprint Network, 2009

  9. Genuine Progress Indicator Source: European Union, 2011

  10. Happy Planet Index Source: New Economic Foundation, 2006

  11. Happy Planet Index vs GDP per capita (2005) Source: New Economic Foundation, 2006

  12. New Economy Old Economy Next Economy? Sustainable livelihoods and business, holistic and efficient management.

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