EVERY day, many of us strive to advance, using our potential to improve our worth and leave a lasting impact.

The reason for this is that humans naturally seek progress. At its best, it arises from a combination of hard work, ethical principles, and a genuine desire to improve the world. This progressive, human-centered view sees individuals and communities succeed as one: people use their skills, contribute and take only what’s needed from nature so others can prosper. However, a contemporary worry focuses on a shift from humanism to realism in progress. Realists praise production, consumption, and influence. A realist perspective views the planet and its people as assets to exploit. They cannot distinguish between using and taking advantage of resources. Utilization means using resources sustainably, whereas exploitation is excessive and unethical.

Exploitation is now normal, all in the name of progress, and people suffer because of it. This exploitation manifests in various ways throughout the world. Instead of using human and natural resources, the modern world exploits them, leading to exhaustion. Wealthy nations keep taking labour and raw material from the global South. Researchers calculate the South loses $2.2 trillion annually, with a hidden transfer of $62 trillion since 1960, which would be $152 trillion if it remained there. Wealthy nations maintain high living standards by taking from poorer ones. So, progress today is a cover for exploitation. Internationally, colonialism and its descendants have formalized the........

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