This Sunday is the 10th anniversary of two historic events.
Had we clued in at the time, things might be different today.
Please mention it to someone.
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Reduce, Reuse, Recession
A warning from the economic cycle.
Economists say we are doing fine. The economy is growing;
all is well.
Is it?
We are so immersed in the promotion of growth economics that it is
hard to look at society's well-being in any other way. However events of
the last decade reveal serious omissions in the economic world view.
In the late 1980's we all learned Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It was a
popular response to the "urgent notice" issued in 1987 confirming that
human activity is growing into confrontation with planetary limits.
The response was tremendous. Recycling, the only 'R' that can be
measured, showed a rapid and massive acceptance. Participation rates of
80% and 90% were realized within months of program start ups. Reduction
and Reuse, known to be even more effective solutions to the limitations in
question, likely received similar attention.
Whether or not the recession that followed was directly related to
reduction and reuse efforts would be an interesting topic of research.
Another connection to explore would be the simultaneous occurrence of the
'Black Monday' stock market crash and the tabling of the United Nations
report that issued the "urgent notice" mentioned above. Both occurred
October 19, 1987. The UN date had been known since April when the report
was released. Could sales of shares in offending industries have triggered
the computer enhanced crash that shook the financial world?
Whatever the causes, the events that followed illustrate a point of
critical importance.
Popular concern for environmental adaptation could have transformed
civilization. Momentum grew rapidly as soon as the cause gained
legitimacy. People were ready and it is well within our knowledge and
ability to develop satisfying ways of living that fit within ecological
bounds.
Why did we stop?
Legitimacy was withdrawn from Reduce and Reuse when our 'leaders'
realized they are in direct conflict with the goal of economic expansion.
How can a population reduce and reuse in good conscience when the primary
value of society is to expand production and consumption? There is a
fundamental moral conflict here.
Recycling is OK because it expands commerce and provides resources
for ever hungry production machinery. Reduction and reuse clearly inhibit
growth.
It is time for a public review
of the value systems that are at odds here!
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Inviting Debate offers materials to help instigate such a review.
Contact Mike Nickerson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> for details.
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"There is one power available to citizens which does not require great
wealth or the use of violence. It is the power of collective persuasion.
It works on the subtle levels of thought and conversation and it works
directly through democracy."
http://www.cyberus.ca/choose.sustain
Sustainability Project - Inviting Debate
P.O. Box 374, Merrickville, Ontario
K0G 1N0
(613) 269-3500
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
