In the nineteenth century, a movement arose that would cause more revolutions than any other ideology in history: communism. Capitalism, its antithesis, had been brewing for some millennia, but with the advent of industrial solutions, the downsides of capitalism such as environmental destruction, and inequality, spiralled out of control. Industrial capitalism would result in international corporations and individuals earning more than entire countries, Marx prophesied, and he was right. In a nutshell, he argued, the proletarian was exploited by the capital owning bourgeoisie, who could make lots of money, using the money they already had. In response to this, the proletariats formed trade unions, and the labour party emerged.
In very simplistic terms, global industrial capitalism created such gross inequalities that communism emerged, espousing equality, to balance out individualistic capitalism. The well meaning, greatly misuderstood, ideology of commuism was too utopian to ever come true, but it has left its mark on global politics. Votes for the masses, state schools, a minimum wage all have their roots in the age of socialism. These measures, to name a but a few, tempered capitalism so that it would become more sustainable, serving everyone, not just the rich.
The light of industrial innovation was met with the darkenss of inequality; that was met with the lightness of hope and political activism: an evolution of ideas turning from light to dark and then back again in an infinite play of yin and yang.
You could say that less action has been taken with regards to the environment. Over the last century, new chemical solutions have been released onto the market, plastics have become everyday essentials, petrol powered cars are widespread, resource heavy computers and mobile phones have burgeoned, all influencing life around the world. Industrialisation has had such an awesome impact, the word industrialisation does not do it justice. The cumbersome, seven syllable term reminds me of a blackened steam train chugging along as someone feeds coal into the engine, poop poop. Manufacturing and consumption, two sides of the same coin, feed on indutrialisation. Factories, machines, transport networks all depend on energy, but they come with a high ecological price tag.
Unlike the working classes, the earth does not have a voice to speak out. All its rivers have been polluted, many trees have been cut down, the soils are degraded, the wildlife is dying out. But it has no representation in government, or in the law courts. The earth is the biggest giver, but it has no rights.
Science fiction predicts the rise of machines to the exent that flying cars will fill our skies, space travel that takes decades, or even centuries, will become the norm, walking, talking robots will live alongside us in our homes. All of these inventions take resources, and energy. We are already at breaking point with climate change threatening to take us over the brink of survival. Can we afford another wave of unfettered innovation and industrialisation?
Bladerunner depicts a planet in permanent darkness, and rain, but the reality could be much worse. As the planet heats up, infrastructure breaks down, agriculture suffers, eco zones deteriorate, creating negative feedback loops where the planet only gets hotter. At 50 degrees humans die, plants die; there is no life on earth. Will we breach this climate change limit?
How many years we have left is uncertain. What is needed is a positive representation of the future: tree lined avenues, white electric cars, clean waterways, trans national cycle pathways, plant based plastics, low waste solutions, improved reycling, ecocentric decision making, and the development of thousands of substitute products. Instead of using our energy to develop new products we need to redevelop the old ones. We need to redirect the light inherent in our current products and create new offerings that we can indulge in, but without the ecological cost.
The steam train of industrialisation represents the insatiable quest for betterment that afflicts the human race. And why not? What were we put here on earth to do, after all? I like trains. But we have reached a fairly unique point in history, where if we do not act in the interests of the earth and its ecosystems, we will self destruct. The train must be stopped and cleaned up. What we know about ecology is that it cannot withstand polluting industries. These should be left behind while eco friendly innovations go full steam ahead.
Just as communism challenged capitalism, to provide for the poor, to give the working classes a political voice, a form of ecology is needed that will challenge industrialisation. An economy based on mainstream eco-solutions, rather than niche green products; a philosophical breakthrough at board rooms across the country; where the death of nature resonates with product developers; where polluting products do not even make it onto the market.
Industrialisation does indeed look like an unstoppable steam train chugging along fixed lines of ‘progress’. The earth needs us to rethink what progress means. Instead of draining the earth, we need product lines that integrate with earth’s ecosystems. Instead of more IT and space travel we need biodegradable goods, and packaging; renewable energy sources; organic food and clothes; gentler soaps and detergents.
Until we have discovered a clean energy source, energy intensive projects like space exploration, and even AI, should be put on a back burner. The government should use the climate emergency to communicate responsible patterns of consumption. Have you switched to a renewable energy supplier? Have you considered an ecological washing detergent?
No Light Ecology recognises that the loss of nature is the darkness that underlies the light of modern progress thanks to industrialisation. It is a largely unconscious exchange. But time is running out. Ecology is not about fantastical lands; it is about restoring what was given to us. Without them we will die. The balance between the darkness of losing nature and the light of technological progress is a trade off that is no longer feasible. So much of what we consume comes from resources in the ground. Along productions lines, we release chemicals into the waterways. And the final product becomes waste destined for landfill. There is much darkness underlying the light of modernity, but we do not see the connection.
Let’s consider an example. Super clean, most of us wash everyday, we apply different toiletries, we wear clean clothes. We are bathing in the glorious light of cleanliness, and most of us would not dare to change it, that is if we are even aware of it. But we release chemicals into the drains and we dispose of our empty toiletries in the bin, perhaps they are recycled. We have become used to being so clean, and have forgotten the ecological cost.
How do we reclaim the rights of earth without upsetting our routine? Is it even possible? It is possible to change things up. I wash using an organic soap bar, so no plastic shower gel bottles. My toothbrush is made from plant based plastic, so it goes on the compost pile. My deoderant is refillable. Micro measures that adopted by 8 billion people would make a real impact. But there is still waste, there is still some pollution.
Few of us think about the energy underlying our everyday habits. As we have developed more and more material goods, the feelings of lightness that they create has been sidelined for a more physical, bodily appreciation. But even that is largely unconscious. So what, I am clean, my house is clean, I eat well, I wear nice clothes, I drive a nice car, etc, etc? We have gained so much over the last centuries, but it has quickly become the norm. I try to be mindful, but it is easy to forget to be grateful for the simple things in life. And as well as gratitude, perhaps we should be cultivating a kind of recognition; a deeper respect for what the earth has sacrificed. No Light Ecology helps me remember the cost of what I consume, even of my organic produce. In recent times, nature has largely borne the energetic cost of our material development. As we shine, nature dies.
What happens if we disconnect, or decouple, that relationship? If we no longer let our unconscious drive the equilibrium that sees nature losing out? Can we rescue nature from our greed? Humans like to consume things, it is in our nature, but can we change what we do and protect the natural world at the same time?
We are drawn to the light. But light attracts dark. Even as we pull towards the light of ecology, some darkness remains. We cannot eliminate our footprint entirely. Maybe this is a strength? There is an element of darkness in all that we consume. Before we lost our connection to earth, we would cherish it, sometimes meditate with it. This habit of honouring and appreciating the earth’s giving would enable us to see the darkness that we release with every step that we take. Just taking clean water from the tap is an act of receiving from the land. That water has travelled from the rivers where fishes once lived; we have taken from nature. By energising on what we take from earth, even when we use eco-produce, we are able to see that we are not perfect, we are not expecting to create a utopia, we are still taking from the planet in many ways.
Meditating on, or just spending a few moments appreciating the darkness inherent in the light could change the energetic dynamic of consumption. Instead of obliterating nature, we take from it sparingly, knowing that it has to be sustained for future generations. Few eco products are 100% natural. As we indulge in getting clean every morning and evening, we can still relish in the hot water and soap, but we spare a thought for the earth, we limit our impact. By meditating on what we do take from the earth, it is easier to see what has been given: the electricity to heat the water, the soap to wash with, and the cotton towel to dry with.
The ecocentric focus that challenges conventional industrialisation should be on replacing existing, damaging products with eco friendly solutions. Can we make it work? Will the big brands apply their R&D budgets to developing eco friendly products? There are a lot of solutions out there, but many of them are niche, and not available in the supermarket. It is up the concerned consumer to seek them out.
Alongside a new wave of consumables, we need to appreciate the darkness that comes with each and every product in our homes. If we develop our power of meditation, and contemplation, we can recognise the damage that we do evey time we consume something. By putting mindful ecology at the centre of decision making, we will be able to shift the impact of industrialisation, loosening its grip on nature.
Sarasvati Flow 