When we focus on the 'efficient' use of materials and resources, we are burying our heads in the sand. Michael argues that we need a conscientious approach to design, so that everything we take from nature either goes back to nature (in a biological cycle) or is up-cycled into further products (the technical cycle).

There is no such thing as "waste" in this picture - only resources which we can redeploy forever. Then human consumption becomes good for the planet.