Why do rich societies with lots of material goods, show few signs of meaningful social participation?
Given weak evidence of our ability to flourish, it is even more puzzling why rich societies pursue material growth. No 2087 Posted by fw, October 30, 2017 To access all … Continue reading
Insatiable consumer desire aside, people are capable of restraining spending in times of economic crisis
But no escaping the growth dilemma — spending restraint during a crisis deepens and lengthens the recession. No 2086 Posted by fw, October 29, 2017 To access all other synopses … Continue reading
Duplicitous PM Trudeau slammed for breaking his climate change promise to the world in Paris
Rafe Mair calls the PM to account for choosing LNG and Kinder Morgan over climate and democracy. No 2085 Posted by fw, October 27, 2017 “You have sung such lovely … Continue reading
The production of novelty through creative destruction sharpens the appetite for novelty in consumers
But novelty-driven consumerism, by failing to advance social progress, has created an “anxiety of the empty self”. No 2083 Posted by fw, October 24, 2017 To access all other synopses … Continue reading
”Consumer culture perpetuates itself precisely because it succeeds so well at failure!”
The sheer novelty of new things carries a symbolic meaning that excites us, promises to fulfill the dreams and desires inspired by our consumer culture. No 2082 Posted by fw, … Continue reading
Capitalism’s structural dynamic “undermines the interests of those it’s supposed to serve”
Does a self-perpetuating system of “creative destruction” contribute to prosperity in any meaningful sense? No 2081 Posted by fw, October 22, 2017 To access all other synopses from Prosperity without … Continue reading
America has lost its freedom to “a collection of anti-science whack jobs straight out of the middle ages”
And things have gotten much worse with the arrival of “Herr Trump”, says author John Atcheson. No 2080 Posted by fw, October 19, 2017 “It’s not news to most people … Continue reading
US federal court dismisses Canadian forest company’s SLAPP lawsuit against two environmental NGOs
Victory delivered a “knockout punch” to Resolute Forest Products’ attempt to intimidate Greenpeace and STAND.earth No 2079 Posted by fw, October 19, 2017 “Months ago, Montreal-based Resolute Forest Products, Canada’s … Continue reading
Did citizen’s social media action fend off Enbridge’s attempt to silence anti-pipeline activist group?
STAND.earth’s office was raided in attempt to collect on $14,000 in court costs awarded to Enbridge in 2014 legal battle. No 2078 Posted by fw, October 19, 2017 “Two sheriffs … Continue reading
“The drive toward Internet censorship in the United States is already far advanced”
We are witnessing the “destruction of democratic” rights by political, corporate and media elites to prevent growth of working class discontent. No 2077 Posted by fw, October 18, 2017 “The … Continue reading
“Capitalism” — an elusive concept that appears in numerous varieties, says Tim Jackson
Whatever its definition, the question remains: Are any of these varieties of capitalism possible without growth? No 2076 Posted by fw, October 16, 2017 To access all other synopses from … Continue reading
The profit motive, entwined with consumer demand, lock us into an ‘Iron Cage’ of consumerism
“It is entirely fanciful to suppose that ‘deep’ emission and resource cuts can be achieved without confronting the structure of market economies.” No 2075 Posted by fw, October 14, 2017 … Continue reading
Trump’s rejection of climate change creates a “malignant normality”, it becomes the rule …
“… because what a president does tends to normalize potentially bad, evil or destructive behavior.” No 2074 Posted by fw, October 13, 2017 “… now we have visual evidence in … Continue reading
Canada’s Commissioner of Environment flunks feds on climate change performance
Federal government clear on desire, big on promises, short on action. No 2073 Posted by fw, October 12, 2017 “The federal government has been clear in its desire for action … Continue reading
“Simple arithmetic reveals stark choices,” forewarns ecological economist Tim Jackson
If we are committed to combat the climate crisis, our current direction is entirely wrong. No 2072 Posted by fw, October 10, 2017 To access all other synopses from Prosperity … Continue reading
Could relative decoupling proceed fast enough to achieve real reductions in emissions?
Jackson turns to arithmetic for an answer and finds an economy in 2100 completely different than the one we have now. No 2071 Posted by fw, October 9, 2017 To … Continue reading
There’s no historical evidence of absolute decoupling of GDP from resource use between 1990-2008
On the contrary, studies show that material consumption and economic output are very strongly coupled. No 2070 Posted by fw, October 6, 2017 To access all other synopses from Prosperity … Continue reading
From an historical perspective, Tim Jackson finds no reliable, conclusive evidence for relative decoupling
The world’s input amount of material and energy resources used in production is not declining as fast as the increase in global growth of the economy. No 2069 Posted by … Continue reading
Group of Canadian organizations “champions” implementation of government climate change document
My letter to CEO of Climate Action Network Canada challenges the group’s enthusiastic endorsement of the Pan-Canadian Framework. No 2068 Posted by fw, October 4, 2017 “Based on my selective … Continue reading
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