Green thinking as Asian religion

A horrible “green column” in the New York Times on “rethinking the measure of growth”. Wayne Arnold’s article is essentially an attack on Asian’s drive to develop. His approach is to raise the spectre of possible environmental disasters as an argument against growth.

The articles quotes several prominents Asian economists who are sceptical about the long-term prospects for growth in the region. It goes on to approvingly point to some economists who say:

“the answer may lie in drawing on Asia’s religious traditions — Shinto, Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism — with their emphasis on harmony with nature and self-denial.”

Such principles – harmony with nature and self-denial – are central to green thinking whatever the views of various Asian religions. If people want to adopt an austere lifestyle that is up to them but they should not impose it on other people.