Buddhism, Limits to Growth and the 7th Millennium Development Goal

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Buddhism, Limits to Growth and the 7th Millennium Development Goal

Buddhist Response to Global Warming and Environmental Protection May 9, 2014, Bai Dinh Temple, Vietnam

Prof Colin D Butler ARC Future Fellow

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Summary

The Buddhist response to the environmental risks we face is feeble compared to their size

We need a vigorous, more engaged Buddhist civil society to help “address” this

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Kenneth Boulding (1910-93)

The Economics of Spaceship Earth

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“the only person who believes in perpetual economic growth is either a

madman or an economist”

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“Limits to Growth” published

1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

Stockholm conference

Rio II

President Reagan dismisses

population as a serious issue

“” “Cornucopian enchantment””

Earth summit

President Bush “US lifestyle not for

negotiation”

From hopes of a global ecological consciousness to an emerging fortress world 4

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MDG 7: “Ensure Environmental Sustainability”

Target 9. Integrate principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs & reverse the loss of environmental resources Target 10. ½ by 2015, proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water & basic sanitation Target 11. Have achieved by 2020 a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers

Poverty and health

Poverty and well-being

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25. Forest cover26. Areas protected for biodiversity27. Energy use (kg oil equivalent) per $1 GDP28. CO2 emissions per capita

29. Consumption CFCs (ozone)

30. % population using solid fuelsPoverty and health

Largely solved (since early 1990s)

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Failure to - recognize any limit

-distinguish clean from dirty energy (other than for cooking fuel)

MDG 7 environmental targets

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25. Biodiversity targets (not just protected land)26. Alternative indicators for human well-being27. Clean energy target

eg switch subsidies for fossil fuel (c $0.5 trillion) to cleaner energy

28. Live within our “Carbon budget”

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Improved MDG 7 targets

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36

20

80

Percentage change in yields to 2050

-50 -20 0 +20 +50 +100

UN Devt Prog, 2009

CLIMATE CHANGE to 2050: MODELLED CHANGES IN CEREAL GRAIN YIELDS

Poor Countries Projected to Fare Worst

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Climate change will 'lead to battles for food', says head of World Bank (April 2014)

(Jim Yong Kim)

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Typhoon Haiyan - 2013

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“Exxon Mobil's response to climate change is consummate arrogance”

Bill McKibben, 2014

Unprecedented wildfires are burning in the American west.What does big oil have to say about climate change?

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“Our practice needs to extend beyond our sitting cushions and Dharma practice halls, to embrace a broader understanding of what is happening in our world, to our world.” (David R Loy)

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[email protected]://www.canberra.edu.au/faculties/health/courses/public-health/staff-profiles/butler-colin

www.bodhi.net.auhttps://twitter.com/ColinDavdButler

http://globalchangemusings.blogspot.com.au/

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