Key question in late 2020: what does a review of Circular Economy research show regarding CE's potential performance re the environment, sustainability, & consumers?

"The narrative of sustainability and circular economy - A longitudinal review of two decades of research", December, 2020---https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344920303906

"Circularity for circularity's sake? Scoping review of assessment methods for environmental performance in the circular economy", September, 2020---https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352550920305236

The two journal articles at the links above arguably could be called the "Bible" of the current state of Circular Economy (CE) research and CE's potential performance regarding environmental problems, sustainability, and consumers.  At least, the two articles together are the "short form" of that Bible.  ["Short form" only because they are not book-length.]

If your interest in CE is not particularly in-depth, but still significant, at least read both Abstracts and Conclusions in these articles.

In my view, while the CE concept is popular and somewhat "Green", it's not sufficient in terms of its ecological and bioeconomical characteristics.  Those aspects of CE appear to be not totally lacking, but also not sufficient enough to address the overall Socio-Eco-Crisis that is upon us.

The Circular Economy concept is a young field of research, still evolving.  It may be that as it matures, it will serve as a good first step toward a complex solution to the human predicament.  As it stands now, however, it's not enough.  Currently, it's beginning to look like "circularity for circularity's sake", and not much else.

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Not only my opinion.  Be Well

p.s.  Diagram is from the Millennium Alliance for Humanity and the Biosphere (MAHB) at Stanford University.  https://mahb.stanford.edu/

The Idea is Simple & Straightforward - The Implementation of it is Monumentally Complex

 Which "Idea"?  Because unlimited growth and overconsumption on finite Spaceship Earth have proven to be incompatible with the long-term surviving and thriving of Life here, we need to make a paradigm shift to Sustainability.

The four journal articles at the links below show part of the reason why that necessary shift cannot be done in one fell swoop.  

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800919316982

["Sustainable Development and Populism"  2020

From the Abstract:  This paper contains the first empirical study of the relationship between the SDGs (17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals) and populism.]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652619316191?dgcid=raven_sd_recommender_email  

["Thinking green, circular, or bio: ...researchers' perspectives on a sustainable economy..."  2019]

From the Abstract:  This study aims at highlighting combinations of sustainability concepts (circular, green, and bioeconomy) which selected researchers have considered priorities...]

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/20/5705/htm

["Bioeconomy Transitions through the Lens of Coupled Social-Ecological Systems..."  2019

From the Abstract:  ...it remains unclear whether bioeconomy transitions in high income countries are sustainable.  In order to fill a gap in bioeconomy sustainability assessments, we apply...]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652617330706

["Circular economy as an essentially contested concept"  2018

From the Abstract:  ...basic assumptions concerning the values, societal structures, cultures, underlying world-views, and the paradigmatic potential of CE remain largely unexplored.]

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Although time is pressing, implementation of Sustainability will not happen only by "voting", and will require years of persistent work (which has been & is ongoing).  I mention this obvious truism because:  I've noticed in many venues both online and off that some younger activists seem to be getting extremely impatient AND depressed to one degree or another with what they perceive as a lack of progress in the shift to a sustainable path.  Take heart.  Work and progress are happening all around the world.  Yes, we (as aggregate humanity) need a giant step forward relatively quickly.  I think we're on the cusp of it, so hang in there.

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Not only my opinion.  Be Well