Many visible hands

摘要: Compared with the ‘careless technology’ of 1960s (to quote title a book at time (Farvar and Milton, 1972)), present safety, reliability environmental friendliness many products technologies, least in richer countries, is striking. Salmon are swimming Thames again. Companies like The Body Shop, but also 3M Proctor & Gamble, pride themselves on their contributions to sustainability, recognized for it. Critics might call these accomplishments ‘rearranging deckchairs Titanic’, point out ongoing exploitation natural resources, hazards man-made environment, long-term macro-risks such as climate change. For moment, our interest not who right wrong, observable fact an overall change last decades, well widespread recognition importance paying attention aspects. In addition, contrast blaming technology 1970s perhaps inherently ‘careless’, stakeholders issues interested new technological options. They actively seek development (or better, socio-technical developments) contribute solutions problems, including uncertain possibly staggering problem. A double question can now be raised: how did improvements which clearly public emerge all, one expect further changes that demand climate-friendly appears articulated?