Population Change, Lifestyle, and Technology: How Much Difference Can They Make?

Abstract

The author argues that the determination of how many people the Earth can support depends upon where and how people live and the state of natural systems. Schumacher is quoted as proposing that technology be chosen that is appropriate in the context of the social system in which it is employed. The engineer Florman is credited with rebutting Schumacher on social technical and economic grounds. This author argues that Schumachers ideas would be acceptable to engineers if appropriateness criteria replaced unique solutions criteria in the application of technology. Then labor-intensive approaches and simple traditional or newly created technologies based on local production would be chosen for most developing countries. A new approach to engineering design has been adopted partially by engineers and manufacturers. The approach aims at industrial ecology. Design factors include not only physical properties and economy but also durability recyclability and disposability. What is needed in addition is a classification system of lifestyles by common patterns of work leisure consumption attitudes and values. Market researchers in the US already have a market-driven classification of lifestyles. The author is currently engaged in the determination on a lifestyle scheme for the Dominican Republic Namibia and Indonesia. The development of alternatives to todays lifestyles may involve trade-offs between time spent at work and leisure time which in turn are related to attitudes toward nature and the availability of public spaces. Mobility and choice of transportation method are related to the physical layout of communities and the convenience of public transportation. The authors findings suggest that clean technologies and conservation practices are economical on material and energy use only in developed countries. Also shifts to these technologies cannot offset the effects of increases in population and material standards of living.