The Eco-Dilemma

Abstract

Although state of the art eco-technologies have been launched one after another, and many citizens have a high level of environmental awareness, the degradation of the global environment progresses steadily (the eco-dilemma). Why do we find ourselves in this situation? The reason is that eco-technologies have become like excuses—or indulgences—for consuming more, thus giving birth to a level of consumption which more than cancels out the positive contributions of technology. Part of the responsibility also lies with corporations that do not explain how properly to use eco-technologies. Are eco-technologies then an evil? It is true that eco-technologies have not been able to contribute greatly to preventing environmental deterioration, but they have surely helped nurture a high level of environmental awareness in about 90 % of Japanese citizens. What we have to consider today is how to continue a process of creative destruction to select the appropriate technologies. Today, after an era in which we pursued comfort and convenience on the basis of the insatiable consumption of resource and energy, we are experiencing the first step in this process of selection—a step which gave birth to eco-technology. But we must not rest on our laurels; the further step in selection needed is one towards the innovation of lifestyles. Today, we must make the transition to a new era in which technology assumes the appropriate responsibility for and in the creation of lifestyles.