Circularity: a broader context

Questions posed by students addressing the concept of circularity in the rollout of the new humanistic curriculum for Wales.

1 Are we facing limits to Earth’s carrying capacity for human life?

2 Is it time for a post growth economy?

3 Are there limits to economic growth?

4 How can malnutrition and starvation be eliminated across the world?

5 How life threatening are the changes in the global environment that are being made by humankind?

6 What is the most important action to bring consumption in line with Earth’s ecological productivity

7 What is the most important thing that comes to mind when you buy things?

8 What is the best interpretation of sustainable development?

9 What would be an appropriate definition of prosperity in a steady state economy?

10 Where survival is reasonably assured and basic needs are met, what kind of culture will give the better quality and meaning to individuals' lives?

11 What are some of the major issues of social inequality?

12 Should we, and if so how should we, educate young and adult people in order that they learn of the socio-ecological predicaments of the Earth?

13 What kind of pedagogy is needed to cope with the socio-ecological predicaments of Earth?

Many people said, 'I can't answer these questions'. They will need to be reassured that not knowing is the beginning of the path to wisdom. They will need to recognise that these are the sort of issues that will affect their children and grandchildren in the future and so should be addressed by the adult generation of today. And they will need to realise that in a strong democracy each and every one of us has a part to play in determining what the future will look like.