Dreams of a Livable Future by Paul Hawken - Democracy, Ecology, and Cultural Vitality Depend on a New Economic Vision for the World

“Sustainability has to be about improving the quality of life of all people on earth and honoring all forms of life.” (Paul Hawken)

“Civilizations in decline are consistently characterized by a tendency toward standardization and uniformity. Conversely, during the growth stage of civilization, the tendency is toward differentiation and diversity.” (Arnold Toynbee)

 

“. . . how it came to pass that we created an economic system that tells us it’s cheaper to destroy the earth than to take care of it. Why do we get economic signals that are antithetical to our deeply held values and common sense? Why do we separate the benefits of industrial development to some from the cost to others? Why do our deepest aspirations for goodness, for inclusion and generosity not cumulate into a peaceful and equitable society? . . . why we live in two worlds instead of one[?]“

“It will come down to some very simple questions in the end. Do we want democracy and self-determination, or do we want oligarchic institutions? Do we want a world of uniformity where the road from every airport to every city center looks like every strip mall in the world? Do we want another world than the one envisioned by Monsanto, Wal-Mart, and Disney? Do we want our 9-year-old girls being lured by dolls with happy meals into McDonald’s to end up with Type II diabetes? Or do we want strong regional and native cultures proud of their heritage, devoted to their land, committed to true development and the future of their children? In short, do we want a world structured by rich, mostly white men, or a world that is an expression of the fabulous qualities of all human beings? . . . The very same companies that invoke sustainability have business models that destroy people and life. We will, I predict, in our lifetime, convict corporations of crimes against humanity.”

“The sustainability movement–without forsaking its understanding of living systems, resources, conservation, and biology–must move from a resource flow model of saving the earth to a model based on human rights, the rights to food, the rights to livelihood, the rights to culture, community, and self-sufficiency. The environmental movement must become a civil rights movement, a human rights movement. Without that, it will simply be a failed white man’s movement from the North . . . As David Orr says, “We have great ideas; the right wing does politics. We are cozy in our niches; they are in power. We are titillated about being right; they are busy being in control . . . I dream that we will become a political movement, not simply one called by the name of a color, but by the name of an ideal. What shall we call it?”

“Sustainability is about freedom from tyranny, from empire, from corporate rule, the freedom to honor life . . . Sustainability has to be about improving the quality of life of all people on earth and honoring all forms of life . . . Let’s create, in Janine Benyus’ memorable phrase, “a world conducive to life.”

(Click here to read the full article at Utne Reader)


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