Capitalism: As If the World Matters

About this book

When first published in 2005, 'Capitalism as if the World Matters', by one of the leading eco-warriors of our time, shocked both a generation of environmentalists and a generation of business people by brushing aside their petty squabbles and artificial battle lines with a powerful argument that the only way to save the world from fuel shortages, climate change and environmental catastrophe is to embrace a new type of capitalism, and to do it quickly.

In this substantially revised and updated edition, Porritt extends his powerful and controversial argument and answers his critics by providing fresh evidence and suggests new actions in a tightly argued and highly accessible book. New material includes in-depth coverage of the United States and the politics of climate change, the state of environmental debate and the massive upsurge in religious engagement with climate and the environment. Fresh case studies include the role of huge US corporations such as Walmart and General Electric in our sustainable capitalist future. Porritt also looks in-depth at China and the global impact this economic giant may have as it grows into the most environmentally damaging-or perhaps the first sustainable-superpower of the 21st century.

Contents

Part I: Our Unsustainable World; Introduction; Conflicting Imperatives; Sustainable Development for Real; Re-engaging with Economic Growth; Unsustainable Capitalism?; Through the Global Looking Glass; Part II: A Framework for Sustainable Capitalism; The Five Capitals Framework; Natural Capital; Human Capital; Social Capital; Manufactured Capital; Financial Capital; Part III: Better Lives in a Better World; Confronting Denial; Changing the Metrics; Business Excellence; Civil Society; Visions and Values; Converging Imperatives; Bibliography; Index.

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Biography

Jonathon Porritt CBE, is Co-Founder and Programme Director of Forum for the Future. A leading adviser to business and industry, he was appointed by the prime minister as Chairman of the new UK Sustainable Development Commission. He is Co-Director of The Prince of Wales's Business and Environment Programme as well as a Trustee of WWF UK