Narratives in the spotlight: an analysis of two positions in sustainability

Abstract: People’s view of the world can cause them to make decisions that may not be sensible or based on incomplete information. A way to rectify this problem is by drawing upon ideas that are presented within bestselling popular science publications, in this case relating to sustainable development. This thesis sets out to map two positions in sustainability, techno optimism (based around technological solutions for societal and ecological problems) and eco centrism (based around the importance and irreplaceability of natural capital). Four parameters were selected for analysis; overpopulation, energy, decentralization, and economy, to analyse the key ideas of the respective positions. A small number of texts were used, based on the prominence of the authors and their relevance to the field. The two positions were chosen for their similarities, and how others had attempted to combine them in the past. In addition, a chapter on the Sustainocene was added, an idea based around humans living sustainably within the environment; important due to including ideas from both positions. A similar concept, the arcology, was also included. Both concepts were discussed as a means of bridging the gap between eco centrism and techno optimism. It was found that there were some similarities between the two positions, although several important differences, mainly relating to the role of ecosystems and limits to growth. A future thesis would ideally further build on this one in discussing ways in which the two positions could be combined further within sustainable development.