CTS lecture, Globalisation, sustainability and the media

Task 5


Read the text- Balser, E (2008) 'Capital Accumulation, Sustainability & Hamilton Ontario'. We have copies in the CTS office, 115.

Write a 500 word critical summary of the text which explicitly adresses the following questions

1. How is sustainability defined in the text?
2. What are the main characteristics or tendencies of Capitalism
3. Define a 'crisis of Capitalism'. Offer an example.
4. What solutions have been offered to the sustainability question? Are these successful or realistic? - If not why are they flawed?
5. Is the concept of sustainability compatible with Capitalism?

Sustainability is addressed as inter and intra- generational equity in the social, environmental, economic, moral and political spheres of society. It also states that, ideologically, sustainability is a communal concept. Sustainability needs everyone to contribute in order for the concept to fulfil it'e general idea. 

Capitalism interferes majorly when it comes to attaining sustainability. It is the constant thirst for money and profit within a market, or upcoming market, and is also constantly looking for new things to commodify. Capitalism is constantly expanding, and metaphorically speaking, acts a web, whilst continuously expanding, also traps things. This causes crises that vary in size, expression and materialisation. There appears to be no mercy regarding capitalist views and approaches, and as it runs alongside sustainability it seems to potentially harm communities. 

An example of capitalism harming communities and creating a crisis, we look at the cast study regarding the BIOX plant that was build upon the communities green space situated in the North End of Hamilton. This idea of making a profit, what capitalism thrives from, is very apparent here. The decision to build in the specific area of Hamilton was based on the fact that there would be little objection (because of the poor authority involved), and it would also be a cheap place to set up. However, the implications that proceeded after the plant was developed are catastrophic. Not only was the site built upon the communities only area of 'green space', but the "constant tremors resulted in severe damage to several homes in the area, including near-collapsing chimneys...etc". The plant also produced flammable chemicals and sulphuric acid which affected and violated  the residents health and safety regulations. There is also a constant source of noise, light and air pollution. All this damage to this particular community has been a result of the greed that capitalism entitles. To make a profit, sacrifices must be made, however, ruining a community doesn't seem to exist in the same category as being a sacrifice. 

There are solutions that have been offered to help support sustainability. Bio-diesel is considered sustainable because it is reusing vegetable and animal residue often found in the food production industry. Although these efforts have ticked some of the sustainable boxes, in the sense that it uses recycling and helps reduce waste production, what once were small agricultural projects, have now expanded into huge environmental businesses. This of course, introduces capitalism back into the system, which ultimately becomes a threat to the causes trying to be reduced. For bio-diesel to become effective, it must have to be used by a larger amount of customers, however to produce all of this bio-diesel, plants have to be built. In fact, one of the largest producers of bio-diesel is the plant that is suffocating the poor area of North End Hamilton, BIOX. This makes sustainability seem unsuccessful, in the sense that capitalism is introduced into it's process, which then causes harmful outputs. 

So is sustainability compatible with Capitalism? In a way, there can never be markets that don't relate largely with capitalist views, all companies want to expand and make profits in order to be successful. However, it seems impossible for both sustainability and capitalism to remain successful, one must fall for the other to thrive. It seems our economic market too greedy to let the eco friendly market sore.