A better world is possible - Global Commons Institute

Copyright Bruce Nixon 2010. All rights reserved. This electronic copy is provided free for personal, non-commercial use only.
www.brucenixon.com
The global economic system is unsustainable and must be completely re-thought. It is obvious that we
need a total re-think about how we live and do business. An economic system based on rapid, continuous
growth, high consumption, a throwaway society, free trade, global sourcing for lowest cost on a scale
requiring massive transportation backwards and forwards across sea and sky, constant redevelopment and
construction cannot continue. Complete re-appraisal of world trade and European Economic Union policies
is needed. Too few people, especially those in government at national, regional and global levels, think in
terms or recognise the extent of what needs to happen. Whole system thinking is required to get us out of
the current economic crisis and the environmental crisis.
Rich countries bear the heaviest responsibility both currently and historically. We have the technological
capability and the means. The “West,” seen by other nations to have created the problem, needs to show the
way, set an example and help poorer nations develop their own ways out of poverty and into sustainability.
Ultimately the fairest solution may be a personal CO2 limit of 2 tonnes for every person on the planet. The
technology to implement this exists. See Part 2.
UK Government
Government must provide a clear, consistent, joined up and comprehensive strategy that will inspire and
enrol the nation as the government did in WW2. It needs to provide a clear framework within which business
and local government can deliver the goods. It needs to reward the sustainable, penalise the unsustainable,
make sustainability affordable for everyone, nurture nascent green technology, help make “going green”
profitable and give local communities much more responsibility and say. Enabling measures are needed to
remove obstacles. Government has ample scope to set an example – how it operates its buildings,
investments in infrastructure, sourcing decisions and the influence it can bring to bear on suppliers.
Government spending on going green Back in 2009, Lord Nicholas Stern recommended 20% of all new
spending should be devoted to green measures and warned delay will cost us much more. This is by far the
highest and most urgent priority. It could lead us out of recession and, as proposed in Part 2, without
creating more debt. Government must to face up to radical reform that incentivises the sustainable and
penalises the unsustainable. Taxing energy at source is essential to provide funds for a green industrial
revolution and to ease the transition. Will it happen under the coalition’s big squeeze? We need to make
sure it does.
Momentum is growing
Change comes about in two ways: Quantum leaps often initiated or led by extraordinary individuals; and
millions of steps taken by people all over the world. Sometimes, inexplicably a tipping point is reached. Two
small examples: suddenly people are using hessian carrier bags all over our town. Giving up carrier plastic
bags and fitting eco light bulbs will not save us but it shows how changes can come about quite quickly.
Collectively, individuals can make a difference but strong government initiatives are essential.
Daring to dream It’s important for us to see breakdowns as opportunities, full of exciting possibilities. For
example, how US can generate 90% of its electricity from solar energy captured in an area of desert smaller
than Nevada. Half of US States have acted to cut emissions and more than 800 cities have promised to meet
or beat Kyoto Protocol targets. Once human beings fully understand the problem and are inspired by future
possibilities, their creativity is extraordinary.
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