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Original Articles

Materialphilia, biophilia, and sustainable use of the planet

Pages 43-48 | Published online: 02 Jun 2009
 

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

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