Secrets and Hope in Our Mad World

Early in 2017 I read George Marshall’s book ‘Don’t Even Think About It: Why We are Wired Not to Think About Climate Change’ and I decided I would think about it. And I would read about it. Then I would write about it.

I write as a 'non-expert' and I'm hoping that your comments will help me to see whether the insights I've

gained make sense, whether the conclusions stack up and whether it's realistic for me to start feeling

hopeful about the future .

June 11th - How to find the way forward


It's worth reminding myself that technological fixes (burying carbon dioxide, recyling and reusing,  insulating buildings, promoting sustainable energy and the rest) and 'decoupling' (continuing with growth but reducing the input of natural resources and the output of carbon dioxide) are essential but not enough if we are to find a way forward for life on Earth. The fact is simple:  Planet Earth is not able to provide a 'Western' consumer-based lifestyle for the population of 9bn towards which we are rapidly moving. 
I'm struggling a bit here but I've got a sneaking feeling that if I'm to find a simple answer to: 'What can we do to change direction'  I've got to make some progress on understanding the economic system which supports global capitalism ... the markets ... the 'casino' ... how money is regulated (or not!) ... how we move through boom and bust.  Fortunately lots of thinkers and writers have turned their attention to demystifying 'economics' so I'm going to see what I can unearth.   I'll start by revisiting John Lanchester's 'Whoops'. Then Deborah Orr's 'Neoliberalism has spawned a financial elite who hold governments to ransom' in last week's 'Guardian' looks promising ... oh dear, some heavy reading ahead I suspect!

 
 
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Good to have your feedback. Thanks for commenting.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)