‘By separating nature from economics, we have walked blindly into tragedy’

Economic policy must be combined with climate and technology if we are to stand any chance of saving ourselves, argues the prominent American economist

Recent news brings yet another example of hubris followed by crisis followed by tragedy. The hubris is our ongoing neglect of human-induced climate change, leading to climate disruptions around the world. One of the many climate crises currently under way is the mega-drought in Sio Paulo, Brazil. The recent tragedy is an epidemic of dengue fever in "the city, as mosquitos breed in the makeshift water tanks that have "bought in to maintain supply through the drought.

Welcome to 'the age of sustainable development'. We are learning a hard truth: the world economy has crossed the "planetary boundaries" of environmental safety. We now face a momentous choice. Will we continue to follow our blind economic model at growing threat to humanity, or will we choose a new direction that finally combines economic progress with social justice and environmental safety?

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