In their 1993 article, "Contradictions in Sustainability," Dovers and Handmer examine the inherent contradictions within the concept of sustainability, particularly as it is currently understood and applied. They ask critical questions such as: Does the pursuit of economic growth inevitably conflict with the need to respect ecological boundaries?

We’re constantly told that recycling is our duty. That saving the planet starts with individual choices. What if the real problem isn’t just us forgetting to rinse out our plastic containers, but rather a system built on teaching us to throw things away?