Abstract
Terrible scenario for the future aspect of our society was issued by “The Limits to Growth”. Basic problems that we confront are the restricted natural resources and the environment. Regarding the resources, the overall average of the reserve/production ratio is predicted to fall below 10 years by 2040. Aggressive developments of mines based on the sense of urgency for metal resources cause strong confliction with the environment and the people living there. Resultantly, urban mine becomes more realistic than before. From the view point of ecological foot print, 5.3 globes are needed if all the people living in the world attain the affluent life same as USA. On the other hand, it is clear that we can get larger utility by smaller goods if our scale of satisfaction is reduced. We have to notice that happiness is our ultimate purpose, economy and industry are intermediate, and natural resources support the all from the basis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Meadows D H, Meadows D L, Randers J, et al. The limits to growth [M]. New York: Universe Books, 1972.
Meadows D H, Meadows D L, Randers J, et al. The limits to growth: The 30-year update [M]. Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing, 2004.
Takeda K. Stop the recycling [M]. Tokyo: Seishun Publisher, 2000 (in Japanese).
NIMS. Nano-sparking innovation, nanotech bulletin [EB/OL]. (2007-01-05). http://www.nims.go.jp/ecomaterial/hal/MR/doc/070705press.pdf.
Nakanishi J. Calculation of environmental risks [M]. Tokyo: Iwanami Publisher, 2003 (in Japanese).
Nakanishi J. Environmental strategy of water [M]. Tokyo: Iwanami Publisher, 1994 (in Japanese).
Weitzsaecker E U. Ecological rucksacks [M]. Tokyo: Energy Saving Center, 1998 (in Japanese).
Taniguchi M. Global environmental forum [EB/OL]. (2009-01-05). http://www.gef.or.jp/activity/economy/stn/nickel_090603/nickel_report_taniguchi.html.
Wackernagel M, Rees W. Our ecological footprint: Reducing human impact on the earth (new catalyst bioregional series) [M]. Philadelphia, PA: New Society Publisher, 1995 (in Japanese).
Yoshida T. Advanced decline country: Cuba [M]. Tokyo: Tsukiji Shokan, 2009 (in Japanese).
Frey B S, Stutzer A. Happiness and economics: How the economy and institutions affect human wellbeing [M]. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001.
Wikipedia. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs [EB/OL]. (2007-01-05). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow’s_hierarchy_of_needs#cite_note-honolulu-0.
Layard R. Happiness: Lessons from a new science [M]. London: Penguin, 2011.
Schumacher E F. Small is beautiful: A study of economics as if people mattered [M]. London: Blond & Briggs Ltd., 1973.
Meadows D. Indicators and information systems for sustainable development, sustainable cities [M]. London: Earthscan, 1999.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Taniguchi, S. Limits to resources, economic growth and happiness. J. Shanghai Jiaotong Univ. (Sci.) 17, 364–369 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12204-012-1288-7
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12204-012-1288-7