Big Picture TV screens videos from leading thinkers: scientists, economists, businessmen, campaigners and more to help you make sense of global issues.
Ashok Khosla believes that many of the assumptions that form the basis of modern economic thought are wrong. The problem is two-fold. First, economic thought fails to factor in important ecological constraints and natural limits. Secondly, economists tend to reduce individuals to the role of the rational consumer.
Dr Lovins talks about the reaction around the world to his seminal book Natural Capitalism. Since it was first published in 2000, he has worked with a number of companies in helping them to develop 'natural capitalist' strategies to do business as if nature and people were properly valued.
Ashok Khosla suggests that a system that defines development in terms of material consumption is one that is doomed for failure. In a world of finite resources, we cannot afford to measure our growth in such terms. Well-being, fulfillment and personal satisfaction are all vital components of development, and are not predicated on consumerism alone. We must move to a needs-based economy that works within our natural limits.
Dr Amory Lovins first worked on making more efficient cars in 1991. Here he explains how using carbon-fibre materials means that the weight of an average car can be cut in half. Add a hybrid petrol-electric engine or fuel cell engine and you have more fuel-efficient cars that use less oil and create less pollution.
Michael Totten describes how climate change is linked to other problems such as poverty and species loss. He is confident that solutions are available that combat climate change while at the same time helping to address these challenges.
Bill McKibben talks about the Kyoto Protocol and assesses the future of this first-step treaty. The challenge now is to bring the US on board and to engage China and India, whose rapid industrialisation threatens progress in reducing worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
Local economies are good for us, says Professor Heinberg. Globalisation and the glocal economy relies on cheap oil but oil reserves are declining. Localising economies will have benefits for communities and sustainability.
Manfred Max-Neef believes that the problem with economics is that modern economics is taught in isolation from other schools of economic thought. Economics calls itself a 'value-free science'. Max-Neef believes that economics must consider the economic reality of human poverty.
We?re ending our reliance on fossil fuel, says Jeremy Leggett. Oil prices are increasing, alternative energy costs decreasing. In 2009, over 60% of new electric generating capacity in Europe was from renewable energy sources, such as solar energy and wind energy. The threat of peak oil means a huge growth in investment in green technologies.
What is an eco-city? Peter Head discusses sustainable cities or eco-cities, both in terms of performance (better use of resources, more renewable energy, less pollution) and a high quality of life, which he considers to be a key factor of a genuine eco-city.