Task 5 - Sustainability & Capitalism


How is sustainability defined in the text?
What are the main characteristics or tendencies of Capitalism?
Define a 'crisis of Capitalism'. Offer an example
What solution have been offered to the sustainability question? 
Are these successful or realistic? - If not why are they flawed?
Is the concept of sustainability compatible with Capitalism?


Sustainability is defined in the text as 'inter and intra generational equity in the social, environmental,  economic, moral and political spheres of society' suggesting it needs everyone as an individual to take part for it to collectively work together, it is for a future investment for future generations, yet cannot be done by just one person.

Capitalism is described as 'constantly looking for new things to commodify'. It is forever growing and adapting to new things and expanding those new discoveries, reliant on making money. A crisis of Capitalism is "a passage, which is the turning point in every systematic cycle of accumulation, from a first phase of material expansion (investment in production) to a second phase of financial expansion". Therefore they would have to keep up with the expectations and demands of customers for the next 'big thing' what comes next. The first stage is creating a product then as the times and to carry on making a profit, you must adapt and expand the product to keep interest and sales. 


There are four main points outlined for business to become more environmentally conscious to help with the matter of sustainability, two of which would work successfully together, increasing productivity yet having production with no waste. One main solution of achieving sustainable practice would be that of the 'BIOX Corporation Scheme' a production of bio diesel that would be an alternative "clean fuel' and 'renewable because of the short life cycle of the com plants its made from". Although the idea of using 'clean fuel' is becoming an increasingly popular alternative, it is being built on a poor communities green space in the North End of Hamilton in Canada. It did not think of the social effects of exposing the homes close to the plan to noise, light and air pollution.


Sustainability and Capitalism are not be compatible with each other as there means are different. Capitalism thrives of finding new ideas and uses them to make money, of which sustainability could be one of. However sustainability blames capitalism for the current state we are in. Yet sustainability can not hide from capitalism.