Failure of Education to Address Ecological Overshoot

Summary

This conversation between William Rees and members of the "New Curriculum Group" explores the failure of education to address ecological overshoot, which occurs when human consumption of resources exceeds the Earth's capacity to regenerate them. Rees argues that our education system is built on a "techno-industrial" worldview that promotes endless growth, even though this is unsustainable. He points out that our economic models fail to account for the biophysical realities of the planet, leading to a disconnect between the way we live and the way the natural world functions. Rees believes that addressing this disconnect requires a rethinking of how we define "living well" and moving away from a system of private property that incentivizes endless growth and exploitation. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding complex systems, tipping points, and the role of technology in shaping our relationship with the environment.