The Nature of Tomorrow: A History of the Environmental Future

The Western world's stories about the future, in which humans use advanced science and technology to transform the earth, have produced an environmental paradox. Michael Rawson reveals how these stories have enabled an abundant and technology-driven lifestyle but also brought the threat of environmental disaster. He argues that adapting to ecological realities hinges on creating new visions of tomorrow that decouple growth from the idea of progress.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 07 January 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

The Western world has long been captivated by visions of endless future growth, driven by a belief in the power of advanced science and technology to transform the earth. However, this pursuit of growth has come at a significant cost to the environment, leading to the global environmental crisis we face today. In his book, "The Environmental Paradox of Western Vision," Michael Rawson explores the history of imagined environmental futures in the West and uncovers the underlying environmental paradox at the heart of these narratives.

For centuries, the West has produced stories about the future in which humans use advanced science and technology to transform the earth. These stories have permeated Western dreams about the future, shaping our beliefs and values about what is possible and desirable. One of the most prominent examples of this is Francis Bacon's "New Atlantis," a utopian novel that imagines a society in which science and technology have been harnessed to create a perfect world.

However, Rawson argues that these stories have also contributed to the environmental paradox at the heart of Western vision. The single-minded expectation of unlimited growth on a finite planet has enabled an unprecedentedly abundant and technology-driven lifestyle for some, while simultaneously bringing the threat of environmental disaster to all.

Rawson uses a wide range of works, including Francis Bacon's "New Atlantis," the science fiction novels of Jules Verne, and even the speculations of think tanks like the RAND Corporation, to reveal the environmental paradox at the heart of these narratives. He shows how these stories, which have long pervaded Western dreams about the future, have helped to enable an unprecedentedly abundant and technology-driven lifestyle for some while bringing the threat of environmental disaster to all.

One of the key insights of Rawson's book is that adapting to ecological realities hinges on the ability to create new visions of tomorrow that decouple growth from the idea of progress. This means moving beyond the narrow focus on economic growth and towards a more holistic understanding of what it means to live sustainably on a finite planet.

Rawson argues that the environmental crisis we face today is not just a result of human actions but also of the way in which we have framed our understanding of the world. He suggests that the dominant narrative of progress, which equates growth with success and happiness, has blinded us to the environmental consequences of our actions.

To overcome this environmental paradox, Rawson calls for a shift in our thinking and a reimagining of our relationship with the natural world. He advocates for a more sustainable and equitable society that values the health of the environment and the well-being of all its inhabitants. This requires a collective effort to reduce our carbon footprint, promote renewable energy, and protect natural resources.

In conclusion, "The Environmental Paradox of Western Vision" is a thought-provoking and important book that challenges our assumptions about the future and the role of technology in shaping it. By exploring the history of imagined environmental futures in the West, Rawson reveals the environmental paradox at the heart of these narratives and calls for a shift in our thinking and actions to create a more sustainable and equitable world. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the environmental crisis and the urgent need for change.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300255195