
In August I presented a seminar, hosted by Massey University, on what I believe to be the single most important issue we face today. That is, how to reconcile our growth-based economy and energy-intensive way of life with the polycrisis that means a liveable planet hangs in the balance.
In the talk, I argue that we simply cannot reconcile these two things – contrary to what we are led to believe by the proponents of green growth. Instead, we must let go of growth as the central goal of our economy and focus instead on what a society needs to deliver to achieve wellbeing for all, within the limits of a finite planet.
I argue that a key policy goal must be “sufficiency” – with the right vision, it is an idea that people from across the political spectrum are likely to coalesce around, unlocking the pathway to a better future.
For those who missed the seminar, here is a link to the recording (passcode: 0U3PW@sA).

I don’t think that the changes necessary to ensure we can maintain life on this planet will happen before it is already too late. It is so obvious that continuing with the systems we live with now, will destroy us. But change, and change radically and urgently? Nah! Let’s bring in lots of American billionaires, reduce taxes and cover more soil with concrete and tar.