Humanity has a long history of extracting natural resources while ignoring damage done to the environment, to communities and to the long-term health and prosperity of whole societies. Traditional approaches to forestry and mining have famously taken their toll, leading these sectors to rethink how resources are managed. But water – arguably our most precious resource – has rarely featured in conversations about extractive industries. It’s time to take off the rose-tinted glasses and change that. Stewardship requires that we be open about how we have managed water in the past, and what we must strive for in the future.
Extractive industries have operated with a “linear economy” approach to natural resources. We take a natural resource, turn it into a product that is sold to a customer, and eventually it is disposed of or considered waste. That’s where it ends, with little to no investment in ensuring the sustainability of the raw materials. The mindset is “There will always be plenty.” But will there?
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Humanity has a long history of extracting natural resources while ignoring damage done to the environment, to communities and to the long-term health and prosperity of whole societies. Traditional approaches to forestry and mining have famously taken their toll, leading these sectors to rethink how resources are managed. But water – arguably our most precious resource – has rarely featured in conversations about extractive industries. It’s time to take off the rose-tinted glasses and change that. Stewardship requires that we be open about how we have managed water in the past, and what we must strive for in the future.
Extractive industries have operated with a “linear economy” approach to natural resources. We take a natural resource, turn it into a product that is sold to a customer, and eventually it is disposed of or considered waste. That’s where it ends, with little to no investment in ensuring the sustainability of the raw materials. The mindset is “There will always be plenty.” But will there?
Continue Reading
This archived story is available after you provide your email address and accept our Privacy Policy.
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