Enough is Enough - Rob Dietz and Dan O'Neill - Part 4

Enough is Enough -
Rob Dietz and Dan O'Neill

2017 Reading Challenge - Day 95

  April 5, 2017 

Book 30 - Enough is Enough - Building a Sustainable Economy in a World of Finite Resources
Rob Dietz and Dan O'Neill (2013)
 Part 4 - pages 156-206
Reading Time - 1 hour

If a steady-state economy is in the works, it means we'll have to alter our consumerist society that places emphasis on purchase, ownership and display of stuff. We've been sold ideas and visions of how good life could be, if only we had the latest toaster oven. We also live in a society where planned obsolescence (things need to be replaced sooner rather than later) rules. Maybe we could build things to last... Maybe we could share tools and stuff in community workshops. I, myself, think that the second hand culture (thrift stores, kijiji) is a step in the right direction.

Of course, none of this is possible without getting the media and politicians on board. Most aren't even aware that the steady-state economy idea exists... so education is probably in order. People generally don't like things that clash with their pre-existing worldview. It'd have to be framed in a way that people don't feel threatened. Thing is... most people (80% in the US) want environmental and social justice... we just need to demand it.

The big thing is... we'd have to do this at a global scale... cause at this point, we are all interconnected... living on one planet. What one country does with the climate affects every other nation. We'd all have to cooperate. I wonder though... maybe it requires a cultural shift... cause, in general, men aren't the best at cooperation. They're better at competition... and while that has gotten us to a certain point. Maybe it's time for women to step up... to create a global cooperative...

The authors have a blueprint for a steady-state economy but it can only be implemented in response to a cultural shift. And that's going to likely come from us... from people. We have to demand it.

I really enjoyed this book and would like to read it again, or read more books like it. It gives one hope for the future. The authors admit it would be challenging and difficult but... the rewards would be worth it. And I think we can all start in our own homes and yards... in our own small ways we can support organizations and systems that move in the direction of local economies... of limiting our consumption. Everything we do makes a difference... no matter how small and seemingly insignificant.