Chicken Little Economics

Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney announced today that we will have “sluggish growth for the next few quarters”. It is insane that we are still promoting growth as the supposed solution to the “economic” crisis we are facing today. It is a complete neglect of the problems that underlie this “economic” crisis. Investment, purchasing, etc. are all social processes and psychological processes that must be understood too. What is causing all the “panic”? The markets dropping, loss of jobs, and reduction of available credit - all repeated endlessly in the media.

But why are we experiencing these things? Perhaps the massive increase in the price of oil and natural gas that set records in the last few years. And the realization of global problems like climate change, expected to cost the global economy trillions of dollars, according to the Stern report. Wars and terrorism have also tensed made relations, and brought lots of pain, suffering, and death. Modern telecommunications connection people and environments everywhere in s sort of emerging global conscience (Conscienca Plena in Portuguese).

Alan Greenspan has also just renounced free-market ideology to a Congressional committee. Is the world not on fire right now? It certainly seems that way by watching the news, and seeing it in people’s faces, in their disheartened cheers. Not to say that there is not still a strong society operating, but it is clear we are not reaching our full potential. Moreover, it is less and less clear that this industrial market economy can survive the problems its created, let alone solve them.

The emerging Green ideology, or the organic ideology that is not owned by any culture, group, or political party, is developing. The Global Green Network is an example of an international political movement with a developing ideology that is being documented and studied by Dr. Per Gharton of Sweden. A former Member of Parliament for 25 years and doctor of sociology, Gharton has analysed over 100 Green political programs and platforms from around the world in one essay. He also included several other Swedish Green thinkers in discussing a variety of issues within the ideology. Fourteen key principles arised from the analysis; that is to say, they were either explicitly mentioned or never countered by any platforms/programs. It is time to look at what an ecological ideology would look like; one that embraces the natural principles of cooperation, dynamic balance, and diversity.

Now that regulation is back in style; it is important that we think exactly what kind of regulation, what kind of economic policy, and what kind of principles we want to base our economic system on. The huge challenge, we are constantly told, is seeing the connection between “the environment” and “the economy”. The connection is clear looking at agriculture, mining, forestry, and other primary industries; but the idea that we can continue to grow and expand these activities has got to go. Moreoever, a reform of all these industries and the redesign of the way we deliver the services they provide, is necessary to not just limit damage, but to actively search for, find, and implement innovative, sustainable solutions.

Ecophysicist Fritjof Capra has provided ecological principles that Nature uses to organize itself. These eco-principles can inform human design processes to mimic ecosystems’ natural tendency to sustain and evolve themselves, individually and collectively through networks of systems.

Biomimicry is one of the most important and interesting areas of technological research and development. It is based on the idea that Nature knows best – that Nature has solved all or many of the problems we currently face as a society, in small and large scales. From the way we design fiber optic cables, to the way we create computers; there are many examples of biomimicry. The Biomimicry Network is a valuable resource for people interested in the topic; giving you a list of academic programs and courses in biomimicry. Janine Benyus, is another person that has really advanced this area of science & technology.

We must use the principles and ideas outlined above to develop a new ecological economics that will actually sustain humanity, rather than seek merely to exploit it and the planet we all depend on. Indigenous societies are those that have adapted to/from their environment. We must realize that all of humanity was once indigenous, and in a sense always will be. We must reconcile our relationship with the planet, or our economy will never be stable.

Andrew Basham

Thompson, Manitoba