"A very powerful, well-researched and thoughtful argument in support of the ecological versus the economic way of thinking and acting. Paul Nieuwenhuis is no 'Fachidiot' but sees clearly the bigger picture. His book takes you on a fascinating journey through the worlds of philosophy and ecology to an in-depth understanding of the evolution of car manufacturing, its past and future. A fascinating read even for a 'tree-hugger' and public transportation fan like me."
- Georgios Kostakos, Independent Consultant on global challenges and sustainability, governance and UN affairs
If we are part of nature, then so is everything we make. This unique book explores this notion using the example of the car, how it is made and used and especially how we relate to it, with a view to creating a more sustainable automobility.
We have been trying to make cars cleaner and more efficient, but has this really made them more sustainable? This book argues, within the context of sustainable consumption and production, that we should see the car as a natural system, subject to natural laws and processes. As part of this new perspective we need to change our attitude to cars, building more durable relationships and co-evolving with them. Revolutionary, perhaps; but if we get it right, this approach will allow us to enjoy motoring - albeit in modified form - into the future. The book draws on a range of disciplines, including industrial ecology, engineering, philosophy, anthropology, consumer psychology and object-oriented ontology, as well as providing industry examples to support its innovative case.
This ground-breaking book will be of interest to academics of sustainability, socio-technical transition, management of change, engineering, biomimicry and business. It will also be of interest to automotive consultancies and those working in the car and oil industries. Paul Nieuwenhuis' innovative suggestions will certainly be of interest to government workers in industry, business and the environment, as well as various environmental NGOs.
Contents: 1. Introduction - A Natural History of the Car 2. The Problem with Cars is… 3. What is Sustainability and what is Sustainable? 4. The History of the Car and the History of Car Production 5. A Changing Industry 6. Regulating the Car to Save our Environment; Emptying the Ashtrays on the Titanic? 7. Supply Chains…, or Loops, Tiers, Webs, or Flows? 8. Freedom to Tinker: The True Ownership Model 9. Consumers: SCP and Sustainable Car Use; Learning to Love your Car 10. How Does Change Happen? 11. The Ecological Model of Business 12. Automotive Evolution - the Car of the Future; a Future for the Car? 13. The Automotive Industry; an Ecosystem Perspective 14. Making the Transition; Ecodiversity at the Sector Level; Industry as Ecosystem 15. Concluding Remarks References
