Before the Wheel

In the European Parliamentary elections of July 1988, the Green Party won 15 per cent of the vote. With one bound environmentalism moved from a cause espoused by a few eco-freaks to a central place in public consciousness. Harmony, sustainability and the husbanding of scarce resources were all back on the political agenda after decades in which natural resources were considered limitless. The miracle of capital accumulation and economic growth had liberated mankind from its struggle to survive in spite of Nature. Man had finally conquered her. She was tamed, domesticated and safe. There was no longer any need to be respectful; to limit our demands.