A critique of Industrial Revolution regarding to Eco-Efficiency.

Essay by burburburUniversity, Bachelor'sA-, June 2003

download word file, 6 pages 3.0

Eco-Efficiency vs Eco-Efficient:

The Industrial Revolution is the result of advanced technology, the increase and expansions of factories, production increase and economical success all over the globe. Within this working industrial economy there is the simple concept of supply, demand, goods and services. Modern technology is what feeds this industry and ties these concepts together. Advances in technology have been greater than one can imagine since all time and is an important issue globally. An economy seen as an industrial system with great advantages, there ought to be some disadvantages. Whether it is a year of income loss, product recalls, scarce resources or some unfortunate legality.

William McDough and Michael Braungart discuss a disadvantage not in a limited view but much larger, a global view. McDonough and Braungart in the Next Industrial Revolution (1998), in The Atlantic Monthly, points out the problems in the Industrial Revolution, eco-efficiency as its remedy and present a solution: the Next Industrial Revolution.

They argue why this is the only solution and not just a remedy and why the Industrial Revolution has eco-efficiency qualities but is not eco-efficient.

Eco-efficiency as simplified by McDough and Braungart is the notion to reduce, to reuse and to recycle. Reduction is first implemented by using less toxic chemicals, lowering dangerous emissions and minimising the use of materials that are not reusable. Secondly, the reuse of products and materials are necessary to save time and money, and thirdly, products would be recycled to retrieve valuable nutrients for other use. For the purpose of this article, the authors have related the traits of the Industrial Revolution to that of the Titanic.

The year 1912 marked the industrial epitome of its time when America was in full awe of this incredible vessel. People were in high hopes of its significance and eager...