In a powerful polemic, the author explains how the ‘moral’ dimension of progress is no longer defensible. In fact, material improvement, he argues, is a substitute for moral progress as rich societies devour the planet and teach the world that consumption = civilisation. The present crisis is not merely of our climate but also of our social, moral and spiritual futures. There is, he contends, no damage to the earth which does not have its counterpart in the inner landscapes of humanity. Affluence, consumption and the market ensure that social goods are sequestered from social evils – so that they appear to have different origins. He calls for a regeneration of human resourcefulness where we relearn to meet what are real needs.

中文翻译：

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资源减少时期的人力资源

在一个强有力的论战中，作者解释了进步的“道德”维度如何不再站得住脚。事实上，他认为，随着富裕社会吞噬地球并教导世界消费=文明，物质进步是道德进步的替代品。当前的危机不仅与我们的气候有关，也与我们的社会、道德和精神未来有关。他认为，在人类的内在景观中没有对应物的地球不会受到损害。富裕、消费和市场确保社会商品与社会罪恶隔绝——因此它们似乎具有不同的起源。他呼吁重振人力资源，让我们重新学习以满足真正的需求。