The Western free-market linear economy can perhaps best be described as a system where we “Buy stuff we don’t really need, using money we mostly don’t have, in order to impress people we don’t really like”. Add to that the depletion of natural resources, the increase of income and wealth inequality, the externalization of environmental pollution and social injustice from our economic measures, and the use of an exponential debt based – and largely privatized – money supply. The result is a system that requires exponential growth at all costs on a finite planet. This system is unsustainable from both an environmental and social perspective, and therefore designed for failure – if only it had been designed, of course. Mainstream economic thinking is fundamentally flawed for not taking into account the social and environmental boundaries of our living world.
The sustainable economic solutions we look for balance human needs with our natural environment. They conserve natural resources using renewable and circular principles, share wealth equally, include environmental and social elements in economic measures, or are based on alternative types of money.
See below the solutions we have visited for a sustainable economy.
Circular Materials (NZL)
Waste does not exist in nature. Which circular materials can we use instead of plastic, so we can reduce human-produced waste?
Food Recue (NZL)
We meet organisations that lead the way in reducing food waste and learn that all of us have a responsibility to tackle this global challenge.
Fair Fashion (ALB)
In Albania, we meet Pitupi, which makes “people-to-people”clothing. Environmental and social values are as least as important as financial profit.
Local Currency (ITA)
We sail to Sardinia to visit the local currency Sardex. Could this be a more sustainable monetary alternative suitable to support a circular economy?
Mondragon Cooperatives (ESP)
At Mondragon, employees are owners, salaries and profits are fairly distributed, there is solidarity among cooperatives, and education is held in high esteem.
Zero Waste (DEU)
Germany’s first packaging-free grocery store, Unverpackt Kiel, helps consumers reduce plastic and food waste, and stimulates buying local.
Sharing Economy (NLD)
Sharing is the new owning – how Amsterdammers are using apps and social media to share tools, bikes, and games to save money and natural resources.