Guides for a sustainable future
Kurt Borth
Gateway Writer
Feb 07, 2012
With the global economic meltdown wound still throbbing, more and more concerned citizens are asking the powers at be to figure out a way to balance our needs within the planets limits and stop basing our economy on the idea that infinite growth is essential.
I participated in a panel discussion at the Office of Sustainability and Sustain SU’s inspirational and encouraging Student Sustainability Summit last weekend and I was asked a question that I’ve heard a lot before: how can we balance the environmental limits of the planet with the economic realities of infinite growth? If I knew, I probably wouldn’t be writing this blog. I have been reading some books that may provide the best answers yet, however.
The most accessible and easiest to explain to your right wing “infinite growther” friends is The Leap - How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy by Chris Turner. He frames this gem with his ‘Four Laws of Leap Mechanics’ that provide the basic rules in attaining a fundamental change — like a shift in our economic or energy systems. The way in which Turner provides not only the reasoning and straightforward explanations behind his laws, but also gives real world historical and current examples of how we can achieve these goals is revolutionary in its clarity. As he leaps between the worlds of behavioural economics, norms, renewable energy, social capital, urban planning and how the German’s changed the world in the 90’s, Turner weaves an articulate response to the question above and provides a compelling, entertaining read while he does it.
Another excellent, if a bit deeper and darker, book to add to your “how to better argue with right wingers arsenal,” is Richard Heinbergs’ The End of Growth - Adapting to Our New Economic Reality. Heinberg is a senior research fellow at the Post Carbon Institute and has written ten books on peak energy and economics. Compared to Turner’s Leap, it’s definitely a tougher read, especially in the economic meltdown related technical information, figures and stats. But if you’re up for it, it can provide an essential tool in envisioning just where things went wrong and how we can integrate the environment and it’s limits and services into our economic systems.
Another question was asked at the Student Sustainability Summit about effectively communicating with people in industry and government and I think that one of my panel colleagues gave a good answer: “Sometimes you have to put on a suit in order to get them to listen to you.” Think of these books as a custom made suit, made out of knowledge.
Comments
Having read a review on The Leap in the Globe and Mail, I ordered a copy and was shocked by what I didn’t know was happening and by what I thought I knew…have spent the last month trying to get media folk and politicians to read the book - hope we can change the conversation and get our ladder on the right wall…
Posted by Patty Macdonald on Feb 10, 2012
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