Towards green development

Author: Fudan University Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-12-01
Features: Green—Sustainable development, as a concept for a certain historical period, is entirely new, but human thoughts related to it have a long history. "Unity of Heaven and Man" is the ideal destination we seek. This book discusses the topic of sustainable development from an economic perspective, divided into ten chapters including "Understanding Green Development from an Economic Perspective." The author thoroughly traces the historical origins of sustainable thought and deeply reflects on the immense costs humanity has paid while pursuing development at the expense of environmental protection. The book proposes constructive ideas and views such as the establishment of environmental property rights, green national accounts, and the role of governments at various levels in sustainable development strategies.
Excerpt: Thoughts have always existed in two fundamentally different basic stances. One advocates conquering nature, while the other promotes harmony between humans and nature. Both components are present in the philosophies of various schools, and China is no exception. From a historical perspective, these ideas objectively reflect the contradictions in the relationship between humans and nature. To overcome the difficulties nature presents to humans, it was impossible to develop modern civilization without struggling against it. Even today, when harmony between humans and nature is advocated, such struggles remain necessary. For example, humans must always contend with earthquakes, and the relationship with mice is far from harmonious. By the time we consider developing a harmonious relationship with mice, it will undoubtedly be because humanity has already emerged victorious.
In terms of the philosophy of promoting harmony between humans and nature, China's traditional philosophy encompasses many schools of thought. Confucianism, which upholds the concept of "Unity of Heaven and Man" and practices the doctrine of the Golden Mean, is ideologically incompatible with the idea of increasing wealth and enjoyment by exploiting nature. Confucius's teachings strongly advocate frugality, which is not only for academic and self-cultivation but also permeates his governance philosophy. "My way is one and unchanging." If it involves the relationship between humans and nature, his views must necessarily be within the same framework.