Breaking Old Paradigms with New Sustainability Narratives and Innovative Ideas

For many decades, there has been a dominant narrative that has pitted economic growth against environmental protection. Economic growth was typically given priority with the understanding that natural resources could help spur growth. Utilitarian perceptions of nature prevailed. Natural resources were to be excavated to drive economic development and nature conservation tied to human’s desire for leisure. With pollution levels reaching new heights, the narratives surrounding the relationship between environmental protection and economic development are changing. In many countries, a new emphasis on the importance of “greening” development can be seen. While these developments are certainly tied to scientific findings and changing international norms and understandings, important differences exist in how these concepts are being defined and integrated into economic planning. This article examines similarities and differences in the emerging sustainability narratives in the United States, the European Union, Germany, and Asia. Recent scientific findings regarding the environmental state of the planet are first introduced. This is followed by a discussion of the dominant paradigms that have long been associated with economic development. The paper then considers the new narratives like the New Green Deal in the United States, the New Green Deal for Europe, and Ecological Civilization in China.