Dear Editor,
Recently, there has been much discussion surrounding the circular economy. However, what exactly is a circular economy and how does it differ with our current economy? Our current economic system is a linear one where raw materials are used to make a product, and after its use any waste (e.g. packaging) is thrown away.
In recent years it has become apparent that the linear economy is based on deeply flawed assumptions. A major flawed assumption is that the earth is capable of providing inexhaustible resources. But, for years the demand placed upon the environment from human-related activities has been greater than the earth’s capacity to regenerate.
People can maximize the chances of avoiding dangerous environmental degradation and climate change by moving to a circular economy. A circular economy is a regenerative system in which resource, input and waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and narrowing energy and material loops. This can be achieved through long-lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling.
Interestingly, prior to the industrial revolution, the circular economy was intuitive and embodied efficient and effective stewardship. The approach demanded ingenuity and creative use of all scarce resources. With the industrial revolution, economies began to transition and a linear economy developed. The world became globalized, based on perceived limitless resources and limitless consumption. This linear economy became identified as the “Take – Make – Dispose” economy.
In the Caribbean, the circular economy is also not a new concept. This can be exemplified through the example of the pineapple. The pineapple’s elements can be seen as raw material. It has at least two invisible elements: aesthetics and aromatic. It also has four visible elements: the crown; the peel (skin); the flesh and the core. The Caribbean home utilized all elements. The fruit’s design proudly lent aesthetic when perched on the dining room table. When the ripening fruit’s aroma permeated the room it was time to enjoy it. The fruit was cleaned; its crown carefully harvested for planting; its peel pared off and reserved to make a drink; its flesh removed for instant enjoyment or further processing in some delicacy; its core disposed in the compost bin for compost when planting. Nothing was wasted.
It is important to mention that simply replacing the linear economy with a circular economy will not solve the world’s problems. While the circular economy and the ideas behind it could make a big difference toward an ecologically sustainable future, attention must also be paid to the comprehensive transformation of our political and social system.
While increasing living standards and wealth for some, the linear economy has not totally assisted in eliminating poverty and inequality. Decades-long development efforts to reduce poverty have seen some important gains, and since 1990, nearly 1.1 billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty. However, justifiable pride in this achievement must be tempered by pessimism about inequality, with the IMF asserting in 2017 that “despite sustained economic growth and rapid poverty reductions, income inequality remains stubbornly high in many low-income developing countries.”
Thus, we have to think beyond the circular economy. We can not only institute a circular economy if the institution is bad. There are powerful corporate and state actors who will strive to embrace the circular economy using the same financial paradigm of wealth accumulation for the few. As a result, longstanding human interactions and power relations that are based on inequality and inequity will be replicated. If profit maximization and narrowminded financial objectives are perpetuated without putting people and the environment first, a circular economy will fail in the same manner that the linear economy has.
How can we in the Caribbean build and embrace a circular economy that promotes sustainability and equality? How can we harness our creativity and innovation to protect our native flora and fauna? How do we transform our political and social systems so that everyone has a chance to earn a living and find their place in society? These are questions that we in the Caribbean must begin to think about and discuss. If we do not, then it is possible that others will and we will not be equal beneficiaries in the new circular economy.
The EUX Writers Club
The pen is mightier than the sword
