Climate change and the growth paradigm: The crisis as a catalyst

The disaster in Australia is not only a cry for help the nature. It shows the need to move away from a growth-oriented economy. Locals and tourists were force

Climate change and the growth paradigm: The crisis as a catalyst

The disaster in Australia is not only a cry for help the nature. It shows the need to move away from a growth-oriented economy.

Locals and tourists were forced into the Bush to escape photo: Robert Oerlemans/ap

In the 19 fires in Conjala. Century threw Economists still longing glances at their colleagues in the natural Sciences. A good hundred years later, they don't seem to add up to the scientific realities. It is invariably the business that drives a large part of the political decision – making-not the natural science, with its evidence-based models and forecasts.

The tables has turned. And nowhere is this as acute as in Australia. Bush fires rage around the country, fueled by record heat, and eat through the dried-up acres of Land, dry as ever, after the worst drought in generations, followed by storms and Floods.

Still, the Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison holds on to the Vision that economic growth is the only Option. He said on television: "What we will not do for us to reckless and job-destroying and economy-damaging [green] to engage targets." Claimed Morrison makes here is that the economy is more important than the science. But not just any economy.

He holds on to a System in which the only purpose of the environment is to deliver Input for the production, and in which it is assumed that growth means benefits for all. The positions the economy at the top of the food chain, from where it emits only crumbs to the community and depletion of the earth operates, rather than being dependent on society, and to act as a part of nature.

The Belief that the supremacy of the economy it is quite finished, all the other concerns, downplay, disregard countless scientific evidence and warnings. He turns a blind eye to the question of why entire communities will be asked to look at beaches protection in front of the fire, why the Australian Navy has to be involved to your rescue and why a small child a medal in honor of his firefighter-got-the-father, who was killed along with two others, when a tree fell on her vehicle.

What happens in Australia, is unprecedented. It is what scientists warned. And it will be the new normal. It is the loudest Wake-up call, the mother nature of mankind would have been able to send. The wounds that we have inflicted to her, calling relentlessly take their toll.

The tax system should reward those who work for a Wellbeing Economy

Some of the proponents of a new economic model are of the view that the movement for a more humane economy must stand up straight in the event of a "crisis" with ideas and visions ready, because only then would this grab finally. This attitude appears as a rather privileged perspective that ignores that many people around the world are already suffering for many years under the impact of an economic model, the human and planet as a production material treated.

Added: such A superficial lack of solidarity may be associated with Realpolitik. Perhaps it is this perspective, which focuses on the crisis as a catalyst to the Whole underlying power to recognize imbalances.

And many of those who are affected by the Australian fires are powerful. Many of them are wealthy. Many people who have benefited from the growth paradigm: The coast, the houses of bankers, Doctors and builders were destroyed. It is the people who have the most resources to cope with the disaster and their belongings to rebuild. But maybe you can help to turn the conversation.

Because while Australia is burning, we have to hope that what you have detected the majority of Australians, is also observed elsewhere finally. That this monstrous cry of the planet sets the agenda on its head that the economy returns to its reverence for science.

That now, since rich and powerful people from the fury of the nature to be taken, you're on the Front lines around the world, their voices rise and their capital to mobilize for the Transition to an economy that respects the planet and a socially just and healthy environment in the foreground.

2020 could be the year in which new alliances come together in the realization that the so-called Wellbeing Economy, i.e. an economy of well-being, good for all – for the people as for the planet. Fortunately, many of to be done to ensure the necessary steps already.

But you will remain isolated until the institutions, financial flows and companies are designed in such a way that they regenerate themselves, rather than to exploit others. Until new standards are closer to what is right for the people and the planet most importantly, to replace the gross domestic product.

This other priorities, and decisions have consequences, including a shift to preventive management. The tax system should reward activities that promote Wellbeing Economy, and those who discourage you, the contrary.

the Former will remain the exception, to the prices of goods and services included in the full cost – so many environmentally damaging forms of travel don't discount their impact and are, therefore, for the consumer falsely attractive. Then also a better use of resources through joint ownership and Use would be promoted.

The development of a sustainable Wellbeing Economy does not have to be disruptive. There are ways and resources to protect the livelihoods of all – and, even better, to ensure that those who survive in the current economic model just, first anything.

Date Of Update: 21 January 2020, 19:00
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