Explore New Paths Forward
Nov 03, 2011Now that you’ve seen the GrowthBusters film, if you’re curious about where we go from here, this is a place to start. Let me begin by assuring you I don’t have all the answers. I just have a lot of the questions. My hope is we can all contribute here our ideas on forging a new, post-growth society.
You might begin by exploring our summary page for each of the four issues addressed in the film:
Each page can point you to some useful reading. I’d also like to encourage you to explore the website of one of our partners in this, The Pachacuti Project.
Next, please add your own suggestions in the comment section below. Let’s begin a dialogue here. We all have much to learn. We’ll try some things that work, and perhaps others that won’t.
Thanks for coming along on the journey.
Dave Gardner
Filmmaker
Growthbusters,
Love your site and efforts for the cause. I have been talking to Wollongong University about a way to bring in a new trade process that we can value our lives on as well as material wealth. They were amazed and stated I was either amazing or crazy but cannot discount crazy today. I can do this with today’s technology and just need some help getting there. If you could assist with my message as I try to give you the answers. I can prove this and do not ask for much from anyone, but if we all help this is possible. We are one and need to operate as one. Let me do this.
Please check out my cause at http://www.pozible.com/index.php/archive/index/4186/description/0/0
When this is developed and my message goes out even $1 from everyone today is 7 billion dollars to make change
Thank you for your time.
Ralph
Richard Heinberg posted 2 days ago in Post Carbon Institute’s Energy Bulletin a great list of things sustainability activists are FOR. I highly recommend you take a look. http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2011-11-18/what-we-are
Transition Voice just published a relevant post with ideas about how to unplug from the system: http://transitionvoice.com/2011/11/unplgging-from-the-man/
This outstanding commentary explains succinctly how we’ve arrived at the end of growth, but also offers a few general ideas about how we should be responding. Richard Heinberg is a great educator:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/30/end-of-growth
Outstanding, brief interview with economist David Korten about a big part of the economic solution: http://www.thisisnextgen.com/profiles/blogs/do-people-to-exist-to-serve-the-economy-or-does-the-economy-exist
Thoughts on Growthbusters, the next step…
I liked the first movie, although it was perhaps a tad long. It was a wonderful combination of stuff that I think could appeal to or teach most everybody. Those who had never thought about growth at least got well exposed to the idea that growth might be a (significant and overarching) problem. Those who had thought about it learned that they are not alone, that the problem is significant, and that it must be part of every groups programs. While some causal evidence was presented for the scientific mind, getting the opinion of experts might be more convincing without too much scientific depth. It did not directly mention immigration (or many other causal factors), which was probably just as well. I think it was a good balance for all audiences and was good in that it emphasized that the current economic model is untenable – the first step to talking solutions.
So, what should be next? Well, I think a sequel still must do all of the above to refresh and educate – and some will not have seen the first film. A sequel should stand on its own while still adding value.
Perhaps more of the time should be spent on factors of growth that should be discussed in open meetings. I’d also say specific actions likely should be stated (and perhaps included in a hand-out).
Possible actions could include:
• Shorter versions (which I understand are in the works), including one that will appeal to (and be acceptable to parents of) kids.
• Personally signing onto CASSE
• Getting a group you are associated with to sign onto CASSE
• Getting together with others and visiting representatives and senators.
• Letters to the editor, articles.
• Expanding discussions to true sustainability rather than a clean river, reducing carbon, reducing trash, etc.
• Being sure that local energy plans have a section on the impact of growth with recommendations (we have done that here in Carlisle, MA and I can let people know what has specifically been included).
• Emulate Dave: Become a Growthbuster, run for or influence local, state or national government.
• Work on a local network of people to become GrowthBustersBoosters for more showings in homes, colleges, organizations, theatres.
Yup, all this is thinking out loud. Everyone else, please add your own thoughts.
~Mike
A Quartet on Thinking Globally and Acting Locally:
http://www.7billionactions.org/story/1187-steven-earl-salmony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KkmFuM77qU
http://www.truth-out.org/marching-cliff/1323195281
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XQIxr4gRQM&%3Bfeature=player_embedded
Restoring and increasing support for family planning will go a long way toward slowing population growth. A LONG way. Here’s a great commentary on the subject: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/opinion/kristof-the-birth-control-solution.html?_r=1
This looks like an excellent 3-part series to aid our exploration. The first part, here: http://www.EnergyEconomyOnline.com/As_Growth_Fails_Part_I.html
explains well how we got where are today.