TASK 5

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 the way in which the values of society, the environment, the economy, and moral and political spheres are kept from the current generation and uphold for those to come. Balser describes this as 'inter- and intra- generational equity'. There is a specific focus, through this essay, on environmental sustainability due to the current environmental crises surrounding us; climate change, natural resources depletion, species extinction, deforestation, and the way in which our capitalist culture, although in an attempt to sustain, is causing the environment more problems due to consumerism and the need for more. Balser explains that sustainability has always been seen as a 'communal concept' but as capitalisation of certain communities emerges so does the struggle for other poorer communities to uphold it without the developing environmental technologies. This ties in with the Karl Marx and Rosa Luxemburg's thoughts that rather than capital accumulation having a positive affect it actually causes 'social inequality and instability' as one sells and earns, one is left without therefore creating a larger gap between the rich and the poor.

Characteristics of a capitalist community include commodification – turning products into production, accumulation, production , trade and exportation. Flaws begin to arise in capitalisms attempts to sustain as Balser explains, 'Capitalism...is a diverse web that is continuously expanding and trapping. These crises can vary in size, expression and materialization. ' For example commodification of air space for cellular and 3g networks as capitalism is constantly driven to find new avenues of commodification.

There have been many attempts to answer the sustainability question one concept is by Paul Hawkin who identifies that we are infact only human and need to 'work with who we are- which includes our strong instinct to shop the market and buy products of comparable quality at the lowest prices.' He pin points four ways in which businesses and alter the way the work to be more sustainable within a capitalist culture. Although attempting to be realistic compared with other concepts which go in the opposite direction of capitalism Balser argues that Hawkin's is instead 'validating the [capitalist] system.' By merely going along with it then nothing will change.

Balser goes on to explain the problems which surround linking sustainability with capitalism more specifically within a bio-fuel plant built in the very poor residential area in the North End of Hamilton in Canada. While the plant was providing fuel which made consumers 'rest easy because their consumer choices are more environmentally conscious and more sustainable.' It was having a huge negative impact on a very poor community. 'First, the site selected was community green space. Second, the constant tremors resulted in severe damage to several homes in the area..' There was no attempt made to made all people happy and it seems within a capitalist culture sustainability becomes more about making those able to consume feel better about themselves and in turn creating a very large, unmanageable class divide.