The Citizen Is Willing, but Society Won't Deliver
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Myerscov3.qx 10/31/08 2:09 PM Page 2 THE CITIZEN IS WILLING, BUT SOCIETY WON’T DELIVER THE PROBLEM OF INSTITUTIONAL ROADBLOCKS Norman Myers and Jennifer Kent THE CITIZEN IS WILLING, BUT SOCIETY WON’T DELIVER: THE PROBLEM OF INSTITUTIONAL ROADBLOCKS Norman Myers and Jennifer Kent © 2008 International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Norman Myers and Jennifer Kent Published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development The International Institute for Sustainable Development contributes to sustainable development by advancing policy recommendations on international trade and investment, economic policy, climate change, measurement and assessment, and natural resources management. Through the Internet, we report on international negotiations and share knowledge gained through collaborative projects with global partners, resulting in more rigorous research, capacity building in developing countries and better dialogue between North and South. IISD’s vision is better living for all—sustainably; its mission is to champion innovation, enabling societies to live sustainably. IISD is registered as a charitable organization in Canada and has 501(c)(3) status in the United States. IISD receives core operating support from the Government of Canada, provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Environment Canada; and from the Province of Manitoba. The institute receives project funding from numerous governments inside and outside Canada, United Nations agencies, foundations and the private sector. International Institute for Sustainable Development 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3B 0Y4 Tel: +1 (204) 958–7700 Fax: +1 (204) 958–7710 E‐mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.iisd.org/ THE CITIZEN IS WILLING, BUT SOCIETY WON’T DELIVER: THE PROBLEM OF INSTITUTIONAL ROADBLOCKS Norman Myers and Jennifer Kent This publication is available online at http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2008/thecitizeniswilling.pdf ISBN 978‐1‐894784‐25‐2 “As this book well demonstrates, many of the ways in which we manage our societies need radical revision. Too often we are locked into wrong ways of thinking, particularly in the field of economics. The focus should be on wellbeing rather than mere productivity. This book lays out the pathways of change.” Sir Crispin Tickell, Director of the Policy Foresight Programme at the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilization, University of Oxford. “Myers and Kent have again put their fingers on an essential problem of our time—and on its solution. If we really want to solve the interconnected problems of climate disruption, biodiversity loss, poverty, and sustainability (rather than arguing about them), this book is a must read and this approach is a must do.” Professor Robert Costanza, Gund Institute for Ecological Economics, University of Vermont “This great book is about one of the most dangerous aspects of our time. We know how to deal with most of the problems—there are pragmatic solutions—but all too few in society are taking any action. Instead, there is paralysis.” Professor James Martin, Founder, 21st Century School, University of Oxford “With insight and style alike, Myers and Kent have produced an imaginative analysis of the many roadblocks that prevent us from achieving a sustainable world. Dissecting the massive problems that confront us, the authors have produced a powerful book that will contribute to our knowledge of how to tackle problems and turn them into solutions.” Peter H. Raven, President, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Dedicated to governments who will start to govern and to leaders who won’t get so far ahead of the band that they can’t hear the music. THE CITIZEN IS WILLING, BUT SOCIETY WON’T DELIVER: THE PROBLEM OF INSTITUTIONAL ROADBLOCKS Norman Myers and Jennifer Kent FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION: WHAT’S THE PROBLEM, WHERE’S THE SOLUTION? ............................................................................... 5 The electricity saga ..................................................................................................................................... 6 The water connection ................................................................................................................................ 7 The feedback loops of everyday living ............................................................................................... 8 Institutional snafus: a sampler .............................................................................................................. 9 2. INSTITUTIONS: HOW THEY WORK AND HOW THEY DON'T ................................................................................................. 13 Institutions at work .................................................................................................................................. 14 Institutional shortcomings .................................................................................................................... 15 Failed decisions .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Inertia: how to beat it .............................................................................................................................. 19 Institutional roadblocks and the environment ............................................................................. 21 Moral sources (if any) of institutions ................................................................................................ 24 Conclusion: an outsize “oops” .............................................................................................................. 25 The Bureaucrat’s Hymn .......................................................................................................................... 27 3. LINKAGES: THE CONCEPTUAL LINK‐UP ......................................................................................................................................... 28 Global‐scale linkages proliferating ..................................................................................................... 30 Thinking sideways .................................................................................................................................... 32 Types of linkages ....................................................................................................................................... 33 Linked linkages ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Grandscale example: the oceans ......................................................................................................... 37 Synergized linkages .................................................................................................................................. 38 Present/future linkages .......................................................................................................................... 40 Institutional indifference to linkages ................................................................................................ 41 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................... 42 4. SURPRISES .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 43 The road ahead ........................................................................................................................................... 44 Discontinuities ............................................................................................................................................ 45 Health surprises ......................................................................................................................................... 47 Environmental surprises ........................................................................................................................ 49 1 The Citizen is Willing, But Society Won’t Deliver: The problem of institutional roadblocks Political surprises ...................................................................................................................................... 51 Predictions and forecasts ....................................................................................................................... 53 An onrush of surprises ahead?............................................................................................................. 54 5. ECONOMICS: A PARTIAL RECKONING? ........................................................................................................................................... 56 Gross national product: too gross a measure? .............................................................................. 59 “Perverse” subsidies ................................................................................................................................. 63 Externalities ................................................................................................................................................