Ecomodernism’s Greatest Test
Ecomodernism faces a historic moment. Amid the climate crisis while facing a simultaneous economic crisis and pandemic virus crisis ecomodernism will be tested.
The basis behind ecomodernism is the exploration of human potential through sustainable methods. The nagging criticism always remains; what are we trying to sustain?
It is often with the subject of sustainability that the goal is to sustain the highest level of industrial output while not entirely pushing the planet over the ecological brink. Decoupling humans from the natural world in a way that can serve both parties is the root of the ecomodernist movement.
New advancements in technology will, allegedly, open up never before seen potential in human efficiency and sustainability where life can break free.
“Technology, uh, finds a way.”
If it were to be eloquently summed up by the fictitious mathematician and chaos theorist Dr. Ian Malcolm.
Today, however, ecomodernism is being tested in ways we never imagined. When the economic brakes were slammed in March 2020 across the world we saw a glimpse of a sustainable environment, although not a sustainable economy. The two areas of sustainability were proven to be disjoined. When the economy halted the ecosystem flourished.
Animals forced into the shadows dared to stroll quiet residential streets, while skies over major U.S. cities were noticeably less polluted. Specific measurements of pollutants observed from space verified the findings. When humans were forced to slow down, the natural world took notice.
While the ecosystem rebounded slightly the economic state of the world retracted majorly. People stayed home, sheltered in place and participated in the economy at only a bare minimum. People were living sustainably for the first time in the 21st century.
Ecomodernism contests that the both nature and separately humans may coexist in an optimally productive state.
One hint that this may be possible is through an explosion in work conducted remotely through new videoconferencing technology. If the economic crisis and pandemic occurred just 10 years earlier the experience of those forced to shelter in place would be far different.
When a sense of normalcy is reintroduced will the technology that has enabled many to work from home continue at similar levels? Surely some will return to designated workspaces and students to their classrooms but we have seen a piece of technology that could offer a significant leap in efficiency that could increase both productivity and ecological sustainability.
This moment could legitimize a movement that has up until now only been theorized on many levels. A global test of sustainable practices has never been even remotely imagined let alone attempted but that is exactly what we are witnessing right now.
Let’s make the best of this moment.