Environmental Fiscal Reform: the call to reform the economy is becoming louder. Reforms and changes are needed at system level to drive the circular use of resources, use of renewable energy and restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions whilst fulfilling human needs. These changes could be made easier as the groundswell of opinion and goal-setting grows. At the same time, the call for austerity undermines sustainable development: desperate people naturally take their own survival first before thinking of preserving natural resources.
This month’s newsletter outlines a few key developments affecting EFR.
The last few months saw the Pope’s publication outlining his environmental concerns with a call to action. The hope is that the Pope’s words will inspire Catholics and non-Catholics to action on a new level.
This article in the Huffington post explains…
The Pope makes a moral argument for taking care of the planet (our common home) and for introducing economic reforms that would achieve this.
The urgency of managing the climate as well as the depletion of resources is echoed in this new article in the Rolling Stone, which gives a comprehensive overview of the situation.
The Point of No Return: Climate Change Nightmares Are Already Here
A recent report claims that warming of the oceans is now unstoppable:
The United Nations just announced that goals will be agreed soon.
Consensus Reached on New Sustainable Development Agenda to be adopted by World Leaders in September
Indeed France has already committed to increasing carbon sequestration in the soil.
Read more here
Addressing the notion that austerity is counter-productive on many levels, the IMF recently released a report on income inequality, calling for financial inclusion and basically refuting the trickle-down theory. (More here)
With austerity in place, citizens will not have the money to buy sustainably, and the rise of green jobs will be held back. Although sustainability is not predicated on having a good economy, austerity will surely hold sustainability back.
See also the comments from this socialist blog.
With goals in place, reforms are easier to introduce. This recent TSSEF article gives an overview of a plan for Sweden to de-fossilize with proposals for fiscal reform using TSSEF’s mechanisms.
An energy descent framework for COP 21
TSSEF is actively working to increase understanding of how relatively small fiscal reforms could drive sustainability. To the end, the Foundation is offering simulation/role play sessions where participants get to experience what it is like to be in the shoes of decision/policy makers.
The next session will be held in Stockholm, Sweden on the 22nd October.
Read more about the simulation sessions we offer here.
MORE ON EFR See the Foundation’s website for more information on EFR or StephenHinton.org
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