Local Futures

The Economics of Happiness

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After Paris: Climate Change or System Change?

In the wake of the Paris climate talks, Local Futures has released a 16-page action paper entitled Climate Change or System Change?In this paper we argue that globalization – that is, the deregulation of trade and finance through an ongoing series of “free trade” treaties – is the driving force behind climate change.  As a result, the climate problem can only be tackled effectively if governments stop subsidizing globalization, and begin pursuing a localization agenda instead.Although … [Read more...]

22 Ways to Foster an Economics of Happiness

Transition Sarasota, Florida, recently screened the Economics of Happiness.  While there were other aspects of the event, the following article (which can be viewed in full here) was undoubtedly in-part inspired by the screening. The following ideas were generated by the more than 85 people who participated in the World Cafe discussion that was part of the Economics of Happiness Summit + Launch of the Common Wealth Time Bank on September 3rd. We hope they will inspire and challenge you to make … [Read more...]

What a Month: The Economics of Happiness Conference

This is reflection of The Economics of Happiness Conference was written by Emily Zionts, who attended the conference. Her entry here is taken from the Woolman blog. Woolman is an education community in California which offers a semester-long, progressive, experiential courses in environmental science, peace studies, and global issues. One year ago, I stumbled upon a documentary called, “The Economics of Happiness” and have been showing it to each semester ever since. The two-part film is … [Read more...]

Bhutan leads the world to a new economy of happiness

Next week Bhutan will host a high level conference at the United Nations in New York with the hope of placing happiness, rather than growth, at the heart of the economy. By Jo Confino from guardian.co.uk on March 29. Helena Norberg-Hodge, the founder of ISEC and co-director of "The Economics of Happiness" will be attending the meeting in New York.Read the full article here We have seen the power of disruptive technologies and companies, but are we now witnessing the birth of disruptive … [Read more...]

#Occupy Happiness

Occupy Wall Street has captured the imagination of people all over the world with the prospect of a more participatory, people-powered future. We at ISEC are particularly excited that the Occupy Movement is focusing its critique on corporate control.We have been working for many years to scale back the power of corporations by building a new economy--one based on an economics of localization. A central part of that work is to point out not only on the abuses of large-scale business and … [Read more...]

Occupy Main Street!

Occupy Wall Street (OWS) has ‘gone local’, with hundreds of communities across the United States holding  Occupy Main Street demonstrations and general assemblies.  While the Occupy Movement is quickly gaining momentum, it remains to be seen how it might improve economic and social conditions in the long run.  A related movement—the movement for economic localization—has been resisting corporate influence and simultaneously creating community oriented, environmentally-minded alternatives for … [Read more...]

In Response to Jeffrey D. Sachs

Jeffrey Sachs recently wrote an article which is making its rounds on the web. The article can be read below this response written by John Page, the co-director of The Economics of Happiness, and ISEC's Programs DirectorJohn Page: "Mr. Sachs does well to point the finger at corporate capitalism, but provides little in the way of alternatives. Corporatization equals globalization, which itself is founded on the near-religion of ever-increasing global trade. The antidote? Economic … [Read more...]

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