Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
All civilisations fall in the end. The Roman Empire is long gone, along with the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Sumerians. Will the global civilisation of corporate capitalism buck the trend? Of course not, but how long does it have left?
Frail supply chains and market volatility are not the only by-products of global market capitalism. The degree of global consumption under the current system far exceeds any previous epoch, and wealth has become concentrated into even fewer hands.
Truly, we need to reclaim the commons, including our most fundamental common realm, the atmosphere. Saito has illuminated the critical path, starting by organizing and building power in the communities where we live. Indeed, we must build the future in place.
Ever since 2020, a global organization called Local Futures has been organizing events in dozens of countries on June 21, when the planet’s northern hemisphere enters the summer solstice. There are films, webinars, and local events happening everywhere around the globe. And it’s a moment when all of us who feel isolated in our localist views can bond with thousands of colleagues worldwide.
When we work with groups for a long time, building a research agenda that is considered by all parties involved as a tool to continue working for accessing human rights for all, we may find quotidian ways to construct knowledge together.
“There were times over the past 20 years when we weren’t sure this would happen,” James said. “But we never gave up hope. We took a stance and said, ‘We love our river. We love our fish. We love our natural resources. We love our culture. And we’re not shy about showing it.’ That’s what Blue Creek means to us. That’s who we are.”
In this episode, Nate is joined by Helena Norberg-Hodge – a leading voice in the localization movement – to explore the deep systemic challenges posed by economic globalization.
Complexity has strong links to energy which means that the combination of increasing energy costs and increasing complexity is a potential game changer. Even more so if the energy system also requires high levels of complexity such as nuclear power or a electric grid run on renewables.
As Boki’s forests disappear in plain sight, the deeper crisis is not deforestation alone – it is neglect. The world watches, largely indifferent, while the Banyinyi women’s struggle keeps echoing a painful truth: we do not lack solutions, we lack the courage to abandon the myths of progress that blind us to them.
I warned in March that in response to the Trump administration’s trade war, China would likely resort to squeezing supply of critical materials it controls. Now it’s happening.
In Monroe County, a decision against expanding Bloomington would be a costly disappointment for growth advocates. However, it would align the city with the aspirations laid out in its comprehensive plan, toward a steady-state future.
Instead of the current destructive notion of beauty, we would like to usher in an ideal of beauty that is regenerative for the environment and assures well-being, happiness, security and social cohesion for people.
