Economics as if Human Needs Matter

A Study Circle on Community Ecological Economics

The understanding is growing that we can’t keep “growing the economy”, when we live on a planet that doesn’t grow. This basic shift in awareness has some profound consequences. It means we need an approach to social equity that changes the way the pie is sliced, rather than the 20th century model of promising the poor that their slice will get larger because the pie gets larger. It means that we need to employ ourselves in an economy that has less “stuff” and more human well-being. We need to collaborate with nature’s abundance so that everyone’s needs are met and that the ecosystem remains healthy for future generations.

These questions are relevant on a local level. In Santa Cruz we have already arrived at a state where the economy is not growing enough to support local government services at the level many of us would like. In this study group, we will look at local approaches to economic/human development that are ecologically sustainable and socially equitable. We are interested in building our community’s resilience in the face of shocks such as economic depression and the end of cheap oil. Building resilience includes caring for our natural capital (natural resources) and improving our social capital (community participation and mutual support).

This study circle is intended to be a learning community. Group members are encouraged to help each other understand the workings of ecology and economics, sharing questions, experiences and resources. We want to consider how to apply what we learn to our local community. The format below is a draft that the group can modify to fit its needs. Each session will include a shared experience (presentation, video, etc) to launch the dialogue. Rick Longinotti, a teacher of Nonviolent Communication and steering committee member of Transition Santa Cruz, will moderate the series. To contact Rick, email longinotti (at) baymoon.com

Session 1: “Deep Economy” Feb 23, Free Event
Video: Bill McKibben, Deep Economy
In this session, we will raise the questions that we would like the series to address.
Bill McKibben’s talk is a good “overture” to the series, since he raises many of the themes that we will consider: satisfaction vs. growth; measuring happiness; reversing diminished social connectivity; building sustainable local economies in the shadow of the mega-economy; turning the peak oil crisis into opportunity.

Session 2: Learning from the past, envisioning the future
Guest: Stu Schlegel, emeritus professor of anthropology, UCSC and author of Wisdom from the Rainforest
What does a sustainable economy look like? Values to guide the transition---from indigenous cultures and our own tradition.

Session 3: Principles of Ecological Economics
Video: Intro to Ecological Economics
Understanding concepts such as: market failures; tragedy of the commons; steady state economy; precautionary principle

Session 4: Re-localize
Videos: Judy Wicks, Business Alliance for Local Living Economies; Michael Shuman, Small-Mart Revolution
Strategies for building the local sustainable economy

Session 5: Investing in Community Livelihood
Guest: Sheila Schat, Santa Cruz Community Credit Union
Video: Woody Tasch, Slow Money
What strategies work to make financial resources available to sustainable local business?

Session 6: Local Currencies
Videos: Money as Debt Bernard Liataer, The Future of Money
How do the various types of local currencies work to foster local living economies?

Session 7: Building Community
Video: Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone
Strategies for improving community resilience and well-being.