The global market system is designed to maximize profit, with costly implications for the planet. Office buildings in Montréal, Canada. Photo by Floriane Vita/Unsplash.
Imagine for a moment that Earth is a business. Planet Earth Ltd. is an integrated global conglomerate, providing products and services to customers all over the world. It’s been in business a long time, with such huge capital accounts that only recently, in the wake of other business scandals, have its owners decided to audit the books and examine how well it’s really doing. The audit reveals a company in deep trouble.