Meaning: The quote by activist Susan George highlights the concept of natural capital and the unsustainable way in which it is being consumed. Natural capital refers to the earth's natural resources and ecosystems that provide essential services to support life, including clean air and water, fertile soil, and biodiversity. These resources are often treated as expendable income, to be used without consideration for their finite nature and the time it takes for them to renew.

George's quote draws attention to the misconception that natural resources are inexhaustible and can be exploited without consequences. She emphasizes that natural capital should be viewed as a non-renewable asset that needs to be managed and preserved for future generations. This perspective challenges the prevalent mentality of treating natural resources as expendable income, to be used without consideration for their finite nature and the time it takes for them to renew.

The concept of natural capital is closely tied to the idea of sustainability, which seeks to balance the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It recognizes that the natural world has a limited capacity to provide resources and absorb waste, and that the long-term health of the planet and its inhabitants depends on responsible stewardship of natural capital.

When George mentions that we spend natural capital as if it were revenue, she is pointing to the short-sighted and unsustainable practices that dominate many aspects of human activity, including agriculture, industry, and consumption. The overexploitation of natural resources, pollution, and habitat destruction are all examples of how natural capital is being spent without consideration for its long-term sustainability.

Furthermore, George's reference to the renewals in nature taking hundreds of years underscores the time scales involved in the regeneration of many natural resources. For instance, the replenishment of forests, the restoration of depleted fisheries, and the rebuilding of soil fertility are all processes that occur over extended periods of time. However, human activities often outpace nature's ability to restore these resources, leading to their depletion and degradation.

In light of these considerations, George's quote serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, and policymakers to rethink their relationship with natural capital. It urges us to adopt a more responsible and sustainable approach to the use of natural resources, one that recognizes their finite nature and the need to preserve them for future generations.

In conclusion, Susan George's quote succinctly captures the urgency of addressing the unsustainable consumption of natural capital. It serves as a reminder of the need to shift towards a more sustainable and conscientious approach to managing the earth's resources. By recognizing the finite nature of natural capital and the time it takes for it to renew, we can work towards ensuring a healthier and more balanced relationship with the natural world.