From Scarcity to Plenty: Embracing a (Post-Scarcity) Resource-Based Economy for a Sustainable Future
“What is needed is the intelligent management of Earth’s resources. If we really wish to put an end to our ongoing international and social problems, we must eventually declare Earth and all of its resources as the common heritage of all the world’s people.”
– Jacque Fresco of The Venus Project
The current monetary-based economy has created widespread social and environmental challenges, from income inequality and poverty to climate change and resource depletion. As Jacque Fresco, the founder of The Venus Project, envisioned, a resource-based economy is a society that uses technology and resources in a sustainable way, without money or a profit motive, and prioritizes the well-being of all people and the planet.
So, as we look to the future, it’s clear that our current economic model is not sustainable. A systemic monetary-based economy has led to increasing inequality, environmental degradation, and social unrest. To address these issues, we must shift towards a more holistic resource-based economy that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and equality. This transition can be achieved through a combination of approaches, including peer-to-peer collaboration, renewable energy sources, the Internet of Things (IoT), universal basic income (UBI), universal basic services (UBS), open borders, and working lesser hours like a 15-hour workweek.
Jeremy Rifkin’s five pillars of the Third Industrial Revolution can help to facilitate this transition by promoting renewable energy sources and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. As the IoT or Sensors Revolution kicks into full gear, and with the development of sharing platforms within local communities, we can barter with one another through a sharing economy or set up a socio-welfare economic strategy that acts as safety nets for people.
The 5 pillars of the Third Industrial Revolution by Jeremy Rifkin are:
- Shifting to renewable energy: The first pillar involves shifting from a carbon-based economy to a renewable energy economy based on wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric power. This transition is crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.
- Buildings as power plants: The second pillar involves transforming buildings into power plants by installing solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy systems. This would enable buildings to generate their own electricity and even sell excess energy back to the grid.
- Energy storage: The third pillar involves developing energy storage technologies to enable a more reliable and flexible energy system. This could involve using batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, or other forms of energy storage to store excess energy generated from renewable sources and release it when needed.
- The Internet of Things (IoT): The fourth pillar involves connecting all devices and systems to the Internet of Things (IoT), creating a seamless network of communication and data exchange. This would enable greater energy efficiency, resource optimization, and real-time feedback on energy consumption and production.
- Electric and fuel cell vehicles: The fifth and final pillar involves transitioning from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric and fuel cell vehicles. This would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and create a more sustainable transportation system.
As for UBI and negative income tax, it can counter the rise of robots and artificial intelligence replacing our workforce that would undoubtedly create a ‘useless class’. A guaranteed basic income will assist the populace for the meantime so we can move from a capitalistic value system by using Collaborative Commons to leave our old monetary-based economy for a Resource-Based Economy. Once we finally get good at taking care of Earth by being aware of factors like climate change, artificial intelligence, urbanization/migration, biotechnology, etc. and start producing countermeasures and solutions, we will be alright. It’s all about abundant energy & resources – materials, minerals & ingenuity which is crucial to live sustainably as well as to behave wisely as both consumers and producers (prosumers) if we’re going to survive; afterward, we can finally work towards being a Type 1.0 Civilization on the Kardashev’s Scale
Furthermore, by incorporating Rutger Bergman’s proposals for a better world, such as open borders, a 15-hour workweek, and Universal Basic Income (UBI) or Universal Basic Services (UBS), it can help to create a more diverse, inclusive, and equal society. Open borders would enable us to welcome people from different parts of the world, creating a more diverse and inclusive society. A 15-hour workweek would ensure that individuals have time to pursue their passions and engage in leisure activities, leading to happier and healthier individuals and a more productive and creative workforce. UBI and UBS would ensure that everyone has access to the basic necessities of life, regardless of their income or social status.
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all people are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all people and all countries – not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of humankind as civilized.” - Albert Einstein, The World As I See It
A resource based economy / Type 1 Civilisation is on its way. We are in a transitional state to be truly “Civilised”. By prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and equality, we can create a better world for ourselves and future generations. It’s time to shift from a monetary-based economy to a resource-based economy that promotes the well-being of people and the planet. We can make this transition possible. Together, we can create a world that is fair, just, and sustainable.
