Ecological Economics, Operating within ecological limits

Around the world, and into the very distant future, everyone deserves to have sufficient food, water, a safe place to sleep with shelter, renewable energy and connections with people and nature. All humans should respect the natural world, of which we are a part, and which supports all living things.

Today, some corporations are using their money and power to promote an increase in human population to fuel consumption and achieve infinite economic growth. This is clearly unrealistic given that resources are finite. Nature doesn’t negotiate with our human demands. Instead, nature has long term rules and there are consequences for breaking those rules.

We need capable, caring, and active governments that stand up against powerful corporations and create legislation to ensure that our economy operates within ecological limits. Ecological Economics (EE) acknowledges the integration of human and complex natural systems supporting an ecocentric worldview for governments to respect the rights of nature. EE emphasises equity in distribution of resources and advocates for a stable and ecologically sustainable population. Instead of being preoccupied with getting bigger, EE pays attention to getting better: in creativity, healthcare, education, aged care and more. Various EE models propose complete or partial solutions.

It is so important that we act collectively as a community to empower governments to act in the public interest. A successful government should be measured by a society’s wellbeing and ecosystem health.

Join Melinda Millen to discuss positive steps that our community can take to create a new economy.

FREE entry for SSEC members, non-members $5.00