Economy on the edge : seeking a world that...
Economy on the edge : seeking a world that works for the 100%
The global economy is on the edge with 85 people having as much wealth as 3.5bn of the world’s poorest. We need a new story of an economy that doesn’t trash the planet
by Hunter Lovins, Donna Morton, Robert Costanza and Ida Kubiszewski This article has been published on june 6th in The Guardian Sustainable Business.
"At present people and nature are in service to the economy, which itself serves the desires of the financial sector. The economy we need would demote finance to its proper role as a tool, and ensure the creation of an economy in service to well-being.
The economy we seek is founded on the principles of ecological economics. It recognizes that the linear flow of money and stuff (what economists define as “the economy”) is only a fragment of the larger real economy, embedded in human society. If it is to be shifted to serve and enhance human well-being it must be governed. More fundamentally, the economy and society are both embedded in the rest of nature. Without intact ecosystems and the services they provide us, neither can long survive.
The foundational work of stopping bad stuff and saving intact bits is just as essential as more visionary thinking"
Robert Costanza, one of the founding partners of the Michel Serres Institute, is Professor of Sustainability and director of the Institute for Sustainable Solutions at Portland State University. and professor at Crawford School of Public Policy, on Canberra, Australia.
He’s also founding editor in chief with Ida Kubiszewski of the Solutions journal .
"His transdisciplinary research integrates the study of humans and the rest of nature to address research, policy and management issues at multiple time and space scales, from small watersheds to the global system".
Anne Chemin R
7 juin 2014