Materialphilia, biophilia, and sustainable use of the planet

SUMMARY

Conflicts over global resources involving war or terrorism, or both, destroy natural capital and, thus, make resources scarcer. Sustainable use of the planet will require a fairer, more equitable distribution of resources not only among humans but with the millions of other species with which humans share the planet. The quest for greater material possessions — materialphilia — is unsustainable on a finite planet that has a growing population and greater expectations per capita of material affluence. However, biophilia, the innately emotional affiliation of human beings to other living organisms, should, if widely practiced, result in a greater accumulation of natural capital. This strategy should lead to greater protection of the planet's ecological life support system, which is a primary need for sustainability.

And he said unto them, Take heed and beware of covetousness: for a man's Life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

King James Version of the Bible, Luke 12:15

Key words:

• Consumerism
• materialism
• sustainability
• biophilia
• economic growth
• ecosystem integrity
• biospheric life support system