Systems Change Not Climate Change

 

Organizer:  Tom Abeles & Ken Pantel

Date: Jan 28, 2023

Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Location:  Washburn Library, 5244 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419

We can’t grow our way out of the problems such as climate change. That means neither growth nor “degrowth”. Malcolm X has said that a chicken cannot produce a duck egg. It’s not in its system.

The problems lie within the bio/physical nature of the planet and the problems that have been precipitated by humans, particularly since the discovery and exploitation of fossil fuels which has also led to profligate use of planetary resources from minerals to biomass and water.

A large part of the problem is the tight coupling between solving the ecological problem and the drive to see the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a goal rather than a measure of “progress”.

MISF has explored this, in part, in a seminar on the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) presented by Ken Pentel. This presentation will review the GPI and introduce Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics through Kate’s Ted Talk.  We will draw on Rutger Hoestra’s recent book, Replacing the GDP by 2030. And explore the ramifications and possible next steps to turn analysis into practice with an introduction to the DEAL network (Doughnut Economics Action Laboratory).

This presentation will introduce a SCNCC webinar series under the MISF’s Navigating Futures, starting in February where the materials will be expanded.

Tom Abeles is a former tenured professor of environmental sciences and international consultant in both policy and practice. He has developed and managed projects in Central America and East Africa in alternative crops and aquaculture and developed projects in renewable energy in the US.

Ken Pentel through his consulting organization has been working with government agencies and legislatures on measures to mitigate the problems of climate change using the Genuine Progress Indicator as a measure.