300 years ago, the Enlightenment generated an inspiring vision of scientific, technological and economic progress. What was once global ‘progress’, however, has become a climate, ecological, economic and pandemic emergency.
We need new inspiration. When we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic we can’t afford to go back to business-as-usual. We need to build ourselves a new ecological civilization in which we live, work and play in harmony with Nature, with respect for all beings, in an economy based on the economics of kindness.
4. 1. A Glimpse of a New Ecological Civilization
2. Our Ocean of Troubles
3. What are the Fundamental Causes of our Troubles?
4. A New Economy based on the Economics of Kindness
5. Where COVID-19 Meets the New Ecological Civilization
55. Our Ocean of Trouble
Climate Emergency Biodiversity Emergency
Ecological Overshoot
Dramatic Inequality Plutocratic Tax Havens
Selfish Finance
Increasing Loneliness
Slowing Economic Growth
Violence and War
Spiritual Collapse
Collapsing Communities
Affordable Housing Crisis
Crisis of Work
Huge Debt Overload
Loss of Trust
The Plutocratic Corruption of Democracy
Loss of Civilizational Purpose
Crude Nationalism & Racism
64. RIGHT
Capitalist
Based on the primacy
of rational self-interest,
following the so-called
‘laws’ of neoclassical
economics.
65. We are not subject to any supposed laws
of Marxist dialectical materialism
or of modern neoclassical economics.
We have consciousness, which gives us agency.
When we couple our agency with intelligence,
creativity, hard work, imagination,
research, teamwork, cooperation and love,
it enables us to do amazing things.
BOTH ARE WRONG
Both deny us free human agency
66. • Selfishness is enshrined as an economic law
• Kindness and cooperation are dismissed
• The free market with free trade will supposedly bring
all the progress we want
• The role of governments is minimized
• Nature is ignored. The climate emergency is ignored
• The realities of power and ownership are ignored
• The instinct of workers to cooperate is suppressed
• The realities of money, banking and debt are ignored
• All other realities of human existence are ignored
• Free trade rules - the need for resilience is ignored
• Neoclassical economics blesses all this with quasi-
religious mathematical zeal
What’s Wrong with Capitalism?
67. Neoliberalism, based on Neoclassical Economics
All based on faulty economic ideas
This Awful Struggle
Capitalism vs. Communism
Fascism
World War II, The Holocaust
The Cold War, Threat of Nuclear Holocaust
68. Capitalism is not an Economic System
It is a cultural system of selfish values
expressed in the economy
through the use of capital.
These values become locked into
systems of property, ownership and law,
but fundamentally it’s not the system
that’s the problem:
It’s the values.
69.
70.
71. “Yes Sammy, the planet got destroyed.
But for a beautiful moment in time our fathers’ corporations
created a lot of value for their shareholders.”
72.
73. The Economics of Kindness
is a cultural system of compassionate values
expressed in the economy
through the use of democracy.
Capitalism
is a cultural system of selfish values
expressed in the economy
through the use of capital.
74. What is the Second Fundamental
Cause of our Ocean of Trouble?
84. The same cooperative and altruistic impulses.
Caring for non-kin with no personal genetic
advantage. Group selection advantage.
85. David Sloan Wilson
Biologist &
anthropologist
“Selfishness beats altruism within groups.
Altruistic groups beat selfish groups.
Everything else is commentary.”
86. The same murderous impulse.
Non-alpha males resent domination,
and will sometimes even kill their leader.
87. When our ancestors invented bows and arrows
and spears, working together as a team
became all-important.
The alpha-males lost their physical advantage.
88. All across the world, hunter-gatherers are
egalitarian and cooperative.
They go out of their way to suppress upstarts and self-
importance. They lived by this code for 300,000 years.
92. With the coming of agriculture and food surpluses,
egalitarian societies gave way to
‘achievement societies’
93. Over time, however, successful achievers obtained
inheritances for their children,
enabling the return of domination.
94. The return of domination brought war, conquest,
slavery, colonies and empire
95. And yet more war, conquest, slavery,
colonies and empire.
Centuries of it. Millennia of it.
96. Our Economies
For as long as 5,000 years,
almost all societies that were not
hunter-gatherer or achievement societies
have developed their economies
within a cultural landscape of
Domination
97. Domination by the wealthy and powerful:
Private property, private land ownership,
Private banks, private debts, debt-slavery
98. Domination by a Communist State:
State-owned and controlled property, land,
businesses, banks and debts.
103. • Guided by self-interest
• Investors/CEO control
• Maximize shareholder returns
• Share buy-backs for owners
• Vulnerability to investors
• Labour union suppression
• Insecure work
• 900:1 wage ratio
• Flat wages since 1975
• Tax evasion
• Relocate to low wage countries
• Lobby for minimal workplace
and environmental regulations
Cooperative
Business
Dominating
Business
• Guided by social purpose
• Workers self-control
• Maximize overall success
• Workers become owners
• Self-financed through savings
• Labour unions full partners
• Secure long-term work
• 8:1 wage ratio
• Wages based on shared
productivity gains
• Taxes paid fairly
• Commitment to community
• Lobby for social and
environmental purpose
104. • Guided by self-interest
• Investors/CEO control
• Maximize shareholder returns
• Share buy-backs for owners
• Vulnerability to investors
• Labour union suppression
• Insecure work
• 900:1 wage ratio
• Flat wages since 1975
• Tax evasion
• Relocate to low wage countries
• Lobby for minimal workplace
and environmental regulations
Cooperative
Business
Dominating
Business
• Guided by social purpose
• Workers self-control
• Maximize overall success
• Workers become owners
• Self-financed through savings
• Labour unions full partners
• Secure long-term work
• 8:1 wage ratio
• Wages based on shared
productivity gains
• Taxes paid fairly
• Commitment to community
• Lobby for social and
environmental purpose
Operating
Principles of
Capitalism
Operating
Principles of
a New
Ecological
Civilization
105. What is the Third Fundamental Cause
of our Ocean of Trouble?
110. Guy Dauncey 2013
www.earthfuture.com
GDP =
Gross
Depletion
of the
Planet
YEA!
Rainforest
destruction
increases GDP
OOPS!
For economists,
the loss of the
rainforest itself is
an unfortunate
externality
113. The carbon cycle? Why do I
need to know what that is?
My gut microbiome? Why do I
need to know what that is?
114. The carbon cycle? Why do I
need to know what that is?
My gut microbiome? Why do I
need to know what that is?
Where all our waste goes?
Why do I need to know that?
115. The carbon cycle? Why do I
need to know what that is?
My gut microbiome? Why do I
need to know what that is?
Where all our waste goes?
Why do I need to know that?
The role of keystone species?
Why do I need to know that?
116. The carbon cycle? Why do I
need to know what that is?
My gut microbiome? Why do I
need to know what that is?
The ecological origin of pandemics?
Why do I need to know that?
Where all our waste goes?
Why do I need to know that?
The role of keystone species?
Why do I need to know that?
117. The carbon cycle? Why do I
need to know what that is?
My gut microbiome? Why do I
need to know what that is?
The ecological origin of pandemics?
Why do I need to know that?
Where all our waste goes?
Why do I need to know that?
The role of keystone species?
Why do I need to know that?
Hmm.
Maybe I do need
to know these
things.
COVID-19
144. “Today’s economy is divisive and
degenerative by default.
Tomorrow’s economy must be
distributive and regenerative
by design.”
- Kate Raworth
Doughnut Economics: 7 Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist
154. Business Banking
Energy Farming
Work Manufacturing
Taxation
Investments
Health Care Housing
Welfare
How Can We Build an Economics of Kindness?
Education
Wildlife
Fiscal Policy
Forestry
Income
Cooperators Dominators
Community
Monetary PolicyTrade Policy
159. Business Banking
Energy Farming
Work Manufacturing
Taxation
Investments
Health Care Housing
Welfare
Education
Wildlife
Fiscal Policy
Forestry
Income
Cooperators Dominators
Community
Monetary PolicyTrade Policy
We Need to Transform Each of These Realms
160. BUSINESSES & CORPORATIONS
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
We need legislation that would apply to every
business above a certain size: that over a set
period of time, such as a Ten Year Transition,
every business must adopt a
Social Business Charter, embracing these
Ten Big Commitments
162. 1. To state its larger purpose, including a legally
recognized commitment to consider the
interests of all stakeholders, and to pursue
social and ecological purpose in addition
to financial purpose.
Ten Big Commitments
163. 2. To report annually on
progress, using Integrated
Reporting to track natural,
social and human capital as
well as financial capital.
Ten Big Commitments
164. 3. To meet standards of social and
environmental performance
that increase each year,
as we make the transition to a
New Ecological Civilization.
Ten Big Commitments
165. 4. To pledge not to lobby
for any toxic, fossil fuel
or tax-avoiding industry.
Ten Big Commitments
166. 5. To engage in profit-sharing,
and to offer an equity stake in ownership of the
business to all employees who have worked with
the business for more than two years.
Ten Big Commitments
167. 6. To strive to have at least
50% women
on the board of directors.
Ten Big Commitments
168. 7. To encourage workplace democracy,
allowing workers in larger companies to form a
union and enabling them to elect
40% of the company directors.
Ten Big Commitments
169. 8. In the event of sale, closure or impending
bankruptcy, to grant first right of refusal to
workers or community organizations
who may wish to buy the business.
Ten Big Commitments
170. 9. To pay taxes fairly,
and not engage in transfer pricing,
offshore banking,
or any use of tax havens.
Ten Big Commitments
171. 10. For larger corporations,
to appoint a public board of trustees
who would be accountable
to the larger public good.
Ten Big Commitments
172. As soon as a business signs the new
Social Purpose Charter
it would pay lower taxes,
and get priority treatment in bids on
government contracts.
Ten Big Commitments
173. After the agreed period of time,
every business that has not signed the
Social Purpose Charter
would be denied a license to operate.
Ten Big Commitments
174. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
We need similar legislation that would apply to
every Financial Institution (FI) above a certain
size: That over a set period of time, such as a
Ten Year Transition, every FI must become
socially responsible, embracing similar
Ten Big Commitments
175. Ten Big Commitments
As soon as a Financial Institution signs
the new Social Purpose Charter
it would pay lower taxes,
and get priority treatment in bids on
government contracts.
176. After the agreed period,
every Financial Institution that has
not signed the Social Purpose Charter
would lose its
$100,000 customer deposit insurance
and any future support from the Central Bank.
Ten Big Commitments
177. FARMING
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
We need legislation that would apply to every farm
above a certain size: that over a set period of time,
every farm must become
socially and environmentally responsible,
embracing similar big commitments, including…
178. FARMING
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
1. To phase out all chemical pesticides and fertilizers
2. To develop and activate a wildlife regeneration plan
3. To develop and activate a soil regeneration plan
4. To secure a non-hybrid open-pollinated seed supply
179. FARMING
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
We also need
to grow much
more local
food
180. ENERGY
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
We need federal and
provincial legislation to
1. Set a target for 100%
renewable energy by 2040
for all purposes – electricity,
heat, transportation.
2. Embrace the 164 practical
policies and programs in
Climate Emergency: A 26-
Week Transition Program for
Canada.
186. The Age of Fossil Fuels is the
LAUNCH RAMP
for a New Ecological Civilization
300,000 years
Solar Firewood
187. The Age of Fossil Fuels is the
LAUNCH RAMP
for a New Ecological Civilization
300,000 years
Solar Firewood
300 years
Solar Fossil Fuels
1740-2040
188. The Age of Fossil Fuels is the
LAUNCH RAMP
for a New Ecological Civilization
300,000 years
Solar Firewood
300 years
Solar Fossil Fuels
1740-2040
Two billion years
Solar Electricity
2,000 – Far Future
191. A transition to a world powered by 80% wind, water and solar
energy by 2030 (100% by 2050) is possible for 143 countries.
Globally, the use of renewables would:
• Reduce global energy demand by 57% due to the inherent
efficiencies of electric vehicles and heat pumps.
• Reduce private energy costs from $17.7 to $6.8 trillion a year.
• Reduce the full social cost (private + healthcare/mortality +
climate) by 91%, from $76 to $6.8 trillion a year.
• Create 28.6 million more long-term full-time new jobs than are
lost in the transition.
• Use only 0.65% of the available land in the 143 countries
Stanford University Solutions Project
192. • Climate Action Bonds issued by the Government, bought by the
Bank of Canada using Green Quantitative Easing: $8.3 billion
per year
• 5% Green Bonds, equivalent to War Bonds, issued by the
government, guaranteed by the Bank of Canada as buyer of last
resort. For purchase by the public. $13.8 billion per year
• Interest-Free Loans issued by a network of Public Banks,
guaranteed by the Bank of Canada. $7 billion per year
• Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS) Utility Loans and Property-Assessed
Clean Energy (PACE) Municipal Loans, guaranteed by the Bank
of Canada. $19.5 billion per year
• Fossil Fuel Subsidy Transfers. $10 billion per year
No increase in taxation. No increase in government debt.
Carbon tax rising to $280/tonne by 2030, 100% revenue-neutral,
returned to families as a January cheque in the mail.
How Can We Finance the Transition?
195. WORK AND INCOME
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
Workers’ Cooperatives
Employee Share-Owning Programs
Trade Union Rights
Flexicurity, as in Denmark
Workers’ Representation on the Board
196. WORK AND INCOME
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
Workers’ Cooperatives
Study Circles, Incubators,
Financing, and Support
197. WORK AND INCOME
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
Fair Taxation
A Wealth Tax
Inheritance taxes
End all use of Tax Havens
A Social Wealth Fund
Ecological Restoration Taxes
199. ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
• A nationwide shift to organic regenerative farming,
phasing out the pesticides and fertilizers that do so
much harm to insects, birds and wildlife.
• Local ecological restoration maps
• Plans for how each critical area can be restored
over the next several years.
203. FORESTRY
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
• A nationwide shift to ecosystem-
based forestry, phasing out the use
of clearcutting.
• The phasing out of timber for pulp
and paper, substituting alternative
and recycled fibres
• The permanent protection of all
remaining ancient forests
215. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Affordable
Childcare
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Affordable
Housing
Great Public
Transport
Safe Bike Lanes
COMMUNITY WEALTH
216. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Affordable
Housing
Great Public
Transport
Safe Bike Lanes
COMMUNITY WEALTH
217. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Spaces
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Affordable
Housing
Great Public
Transport
Safe Bike Lanes
COMMUNITY WEALTH
218. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Spaces
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Affordable
Housing
Great Public
Transport
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
COMMUNITY WEALTH
219. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Spaces
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Basic Income
Affordable
Housing
Great Public
Transport
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
COMMUNITY WEALTH
220. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Squares
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Basic Income
Affordable
Housing
Free College
Education
Great Public
Transport
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
COMMUNITY WEALTH
221. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Squares
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Basic Income
Affordable
Housing
Free College
Education
Great Public
Transport
Social Purpose
Businesses,
Banks & Coops
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
COMMUNITY WEALTH
222. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Squares
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Basic Income
Affordable
Housing
Free College
Education
Great Public
Transport
Social Purpose
Businesses,
Banks & Coops
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
Social
Enterprises
& Non-Profits
COMMUNITY WEALTH
223. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Squares
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Basic Income
Affordable
Housing
Free College
Education
Great Public
Transport
Social Purpose
Businesses,
Banks & Coops
A Cooperative Local Economy
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
Social
Enterprises
& Non-Profits
COMMUNITY WEALTH
224. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Squares
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Basic Income
Affordable
Housing
Free College
Education
Great Public
Transport
Social Purpose
Businesses,
Banks & Coops
A Cooperative Local Economy
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
Social
Enterprises
& Non-Profits
COMMUNITY WEALTH
225. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Squares
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Basic Income
Affordable
Housing
Free College
Education
Great Public
Transport
Social Purpose
Businesses,
Banks & Coops
A Cooperative Local Economy
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
Social
Enterprises
& Non-Profits
COMMUNITY WEALTH
226. Lots of
Green Space
Great Schools
Great Urban
Squares
Affordable
Childcare
Solar Energy
A Sharing
Economy
Urban Food
Work-sharing
Basic Income
Affordable
Housing
Free College
Education
Great Public
Transport
Social Purpose
Businesses,
Banks & Coops
A Cooperative Local Economy
Safe Bike Lanes
Community
currencies
Social
Enterprises
& Non-Profits
COMMUNITY WEALTH
232. GLOBAL TRADE
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
Free Trade Zones
• Reduced trade tariffs
• Open competition
• Race to the regulatory
bottom
• Trade tribunals to
protect capital, not
Nature, countries or
workers
233. GLOBAL TRADE
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
Free Trade Zones
• Reduced trade tariffs
• Open competition
• Race to the regulatory
bottom
• Trade tribunals to
protect capital, not
Nature, countries or
workers
Ethical Trade Zones
• Trade tariffs based on
compliance with human
rights, labor rights,
climate protection, etc
• Race to the regulatory top
• Trade tribunals to protect
Nature, countries and
workers, as well as capital
236. CONFLICT AND WAR
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
In 2015, violence and war drained $13.6 trillion from the global
economy: $150 a month for everyone on the planet.
45% for military expenditure, 26% for internal security,
the rest for financial losses due to conflict and violence.
We currently spend 100x more on war than we do on peace.
239. Now is the time to be working out the
practical details of a Rapid Transition
to a New Ecological Civilization
240. A Green/Just COVID Recovery Plan
A Green New Deal
Corporate Bail-out Clauses
A Debt Jubilee
241. If Transition Projects are not
Shovel-Ready, the COVID-19 Economic
Recovery will revert to Business-As-Usual
242. BUSINESSES & CORPORATIONS
Transition to a New Ecological Civilization
We need legislation that would apply to every
business above a certain size: that over a set
period of time, such as a Ten Year Transition,
every business must adopt a
Social Business Charter, embracing these
Ten Big Commitments
243. Companies which pay out dividends to shareholders,
buy back own shares or are registered in tax havens
won’t be eligible for any of Denmark’s aid programs
251. Much greater local resilience
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Stronger public healthcare
252. Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Stronger public healthcare
253. Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
254. Ecological restoration
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
255. Ecological restoration
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
256. Ecological restoration
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
Affordable housing for all
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
257. Ecological restoration
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
A permanent end to homelessness
Affordable housing for all
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
258. Community wealth
Ecological restoration
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
A permanent end to homelessness
Affordable housing for all
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
259. Community wealth
Ecological restoration
The Economics of Kindness
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
A permanent end to homelessness
Affordable housing for all
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
260. Community wealth
Ecological restoration
The Economics of Kindness
100% renewable energy
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
A permanent end to homelessness
Affordable housing for all
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
261. Ethical trade
Community wealth
Ecological restoration
The Economics of Kindness
100% renewable energy
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
A permanent end to homelessness
Affordable housing for all
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
262. An end to war
Ethical trade
Community wealth
Ecological restoration
The Economics of Kindness
100% renewable energy
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
A permanent end to homelessness
Affordable housing for all
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare
263. An end to war
Ethical trade
Community wealth
Ecological restoration
The Economics of Kindness
100% renewable energy
Much greater local resilience
More locally-grown food
A permanent end to homelessness
Affordable housing for all
Continuing compassion
for the most vulnerable
Strong caring neighbourhoods
One world
working together
Progress for kindness
and wellbeing,
not just more money
Stronger public healthcare