Capital versus Biosphere: An Eco-Social Agenda Fit for the Times

The document argues that the 21st century is defined by a conflict between capital and the biosphere, exacerbated by the Anthropocene and mass species extinction. It proposes a post-pandemic recovery for Europe based on three pillars: protecting biodiversity to ensure human health, valuing the local through the care economy and localized supply chains, and accelerating an energy transition to reduce dependence and redistribute wealth. The author emphasizes that sustainability requires a change in the social model and a shift from a culture of vehicle ownership to shared services, while warning against 'greenwashed' solutions and austerity.

• The author identifies the primary conflict of the 21st century as the tension between capital and the biosphere, which highlights the physical limits of growth and mass species extinction during the Anthropocene.
• A proposed eco-social agenda for Europe focuses on three priority areas: the protection of biodiversity, the valuation of local systems, and the acceleration of the energy transition.
• Protecting biodiversity is linked to human survival and health, as ecosystem services provide essential benefits. The author cites the Llobregat Delta in Barcelona as an example where airport expansion threatened biodiversity and agricultural land.
• Valuing the local involves two components: recognizing the social and economic value of the care economy, predominantly performed by women, and establishing localized supply chains to reduce vulnerability to global disruptions, such as the reliance on China for face masks during the pandemic.
• The energy transition is presented as a tool for socio-economic change and re-industrialization. Spain's energy dependence is 74%, while in Catalonia it reaches 90% due to low renewable energy penetration.
• The energy agenda offers a path for the re-industrialization of 'España vaciada' (emptied Spain), where renewable energy generation can stimulate employment and investment in depopulated rural regions.
• Achieving sustainability requires a shift in the social model and mobility habits, moving from vehicle ownership to shared services, walking, cycling, and public transport, while acknowledging the limits of rare minerals needed for green technologies.
• The European Union is positioned to lead the global environmental agenda due to its high energy dependence and the need for new development sectors, provided it avoids austerity and 'greenwashed' solutions.

APA

Torres, J. H. I. (2021). Capital versus Biosphere: An Eco-Social Agenda Fit for the Times. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/capital-versus-biosphere-an-eco-social-agenda-fit-for-the-times/

Chicago

Torres, Joan Herrera i. Capital versus Biosphere: An Eco-Social Agenda Fit for the Times. Green European Journal, 2021. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/capital-versus-biosphere-an-eco-social-agenda-fit-for-the-times/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Torres |first1=Joan Herrera i |title=Capital versus Biosphere: An Eco-Social Agenda Fit for the Times |publisher=Green European Journal |date=18 February 2021 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/capital-versus-biosphere-an-eco-social-agenda-fit-for-the-times/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{torres2021capital, author = {Torres, Joan Herrera i}, title = {{Capital versus Biosphere: An Eco-Social Agenda Fit for the Times}}, publisher = {Green European Journal}, year = {2021}, month = feb, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/capital-versus-biosphere-an-eco-social-agenda-fit-for-the-times/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }