Country's have an economic growth rate. This growth is based on GNP, basically the increase in services and production in a country in a year. Products of course need consumers whose primary purpose is the destruction of production.

Growth rate is an exponential equation. So the number of goods produced and destroyed is inceasing exponentially.

This is the world economic system.

So what's the point of recycling, being green in face of an exponential growth rate?

Is it that most eco people don't realise what an exponential calculation is?

You mean civilization itself is unsustainable? Maybe they just want to mitigate the damage.

So what's the point of recycling, being green in face of an exponential growth rate?

To at least try to slow down the destruction of nature somewhat until a better system can be put into place or humans all die off. It will help to lessen the environmental impact as more recycling and green things come on line. But the real question will those things come on line soon enough. :shrug:

You mean civilization itself is unsustainable? Maybe they just want to mitigate the damage.

Yes, basically. Witht he current economic system of the world. However changing the system is now impossible.

Green quotas also tend to be not exponetial. So you recycle 25% of the 100%of goods produced, 25% of 200%, 25% of 400%, 25% of 800% as the amount of good produced in the world doubles every couple of decades or so.