Abstract

Technological innovations are increasingly promoted as solutions to climate change. However, many innovations, including Carbon Capture and Storage, bioplastics, and glacier geo engineering, face significant limitations, high costs, and unintended consequences that undermine their sustainability benefits. Using Granular Interaction Thinking Theory (GITT), grounded on information theory, quantum mechanics, and Mindsponge theory, in this study, we analyze how excessive technological innovations create an “innovation curse” and contribute to the erosion of Indigenous and Local Knowledge. Our findings reveal that market and institutional biases favor high-tech solutions, sidelining proven ecological strategies that operate within planetary boundaries. We propose the eco-surplus framework, which emphasizes the integration of Indigenous and Local Knowledge and nature-based solutions as scalable, cost-effective climate interventions. Transitioning from an “eco-deficit” to an “eco surplus” culture requires institutional shifts that prioritize ecological intelligence over proprietary technologies. Our study emphasizes the urgency of aligning sustainability efforts with regenerative, community-driven practices to foster long-term environmental resilience.