what is the treadmill of production (ToP)
a theory in environmental sociology that explains how industrial capitalist societies are pushed to continually increase economic growth and production, which leads to ongoing environmental degradation
how does capitalism drive the treadmill
through private property, competitive markets, and profit driven expansion
why does profit growth increase environmental harm
growth accelerates resource withdrawals and pollution additions
what is the growth coalition
alliance between state, capital, and labour that supports continous economic growth even if it leads to environmental harm
what is environmental degradation structural in ToP
because it is built into the economic and political system itself
what is technological optimism
the belief technology can solve environmental problems without systemic change
why does ToP critique technological optimism
technology often accelerates production rather than reducing harm
what is the pesticide treadmill
cycle where farmers must keep using more or stronger pesticides because pests develop resistance over time, which leads to continued chemical use and environmental harm
what are the 5 stages of the materials economy
extraction
production
distribution
consumption
disposal
why does ToP empahsize global inequality
because the environmental costs of economic growth are often shifted onto poorer countries and marginalized communities, while wealthier regions benefit from production and consumption
what does EMT (Ecological Modernization Theory) argue?
that modern societies can solve environmental problems through technological innovation without abandoning economic growth
how does Ecological Modernization Theory view institutions
as capable of reforming themselves to reduce environmental harm while maintaining economic growth
what is ecological rationality
integrating environmental impacts into economic decision making
what alliances support Ecological Modernization Theory reforms
the state
markets
civil society
what is green growth
maintaining economic growth while reducing environmental impact through efficiency and innovation
what is degrowth
argues that real sustainability requires reducing overall production and consumption, because endless economic growth exceeds ecological limits
what is the key difference between green growth and degrowth
green growth = grow, but greener
degrowth = less growth for sustainability
what is technological optimism
overestimating technology’s ability to solve ecological problems
what is the central debate between ToP and Ecological Modernization Theory
whether capitalism and economic growth can be environmentally sustainable
