Trade Gone Mad animation

1. Emphasize the connection between social and environmental concerns.

The global economy is not only chewing up the living planet; it’s pushing people into unstable ‘gig’ employment. Speculation on the basics, like food and housing, is driving the cost of living sky-high. Even the middle classes are struggling. Meantime, young people are robbed of the prospect of a life of meaning and purpose, and an epidemic of depression and suicide has gripped the world.

The global economy is not only chewing up the living planet; it’s pushing people into unstable ‘gig’ employment. Speculation on the basics, like food and housing, is driving the cost of living sky-high.

The global economy is not only chewing up the living planet; it’s pushing people into unstable ‘gig’ employment. Speculation on the basics, like food and housing, is driving the cost of living sky-high. Even the middle classes are struggling.

The global economy is not only chewing up the living planet; it’s pushing people into unstable ‘gig’ employment. Speculation on the basics, like food and housing, is driving the cost of living sky-high. Even the middle classes are struggling. Even the middle classes are struggling. Meantime, young people are robbed of a life of meaning and purpose, while an epidemic of depression and suicide has gripped the world.

The good news is that it’s possible to reduce both poverty and pollution, if we strengthen localized economies instead of global corporations. This powerful message can bring us together across polarized political divisions.

Even the middle classes are struggling. Meantime, young people are robbed of a life of meaning and purpose, while an epidemic of depression and suicide has gripped the world. The good news is that it’s possible to reduce both poverty and pollution , if we strengthen localized economies instead of global corporations. This powerful message can bring us together across polarized political divisions.

2. Stop the blame game. Focus on mechanisms of corporate power.

The finger is pointed at people: blaming human nature, the consumer, the cultural ‘other’, individual CEOs and politicians. But, the current political and economic system was built over generations. The global traders who set it in motion are long gone.

2. Stop the blame game. Focus on mechanisms of corporate power.

Even those working inside this system remain mostly clueless. Rather than blaming individuals, we need to expose the central mechanism behind the derailed corporate expansion: the free-trade treaties.

The system is now on autopilot aided by algorithms. Even those working inside this system remain mostly clueless. Rather than blaming individuals, we need to expose the central mechanism behind the derailed corporate expansion: the free-trade treaties.

The finger is pointed at people: blaming human nature, the consumer, the cultural ‘other’, individual CEOs and politicians. But, the current political and economic system was built over generations. The global traders who set it in motion are long gone. The system is now on autopilot aided by algorithms.

Even those working inside this system remain mostly clueless. Rather than blaming individuals, we need to expose the central mechanism behind the derailed corporate expansion: the free-trade treaties.

3. Make global trade a
central focus of climate activism.

Emissions from global trade are invisible in the COP climate negotiations! Even many climate activists ignore it and point toward narrow lifestyle changes and piecemeal policy reforms.

By exposing 'trade gone mad’, we point the finger at the biggest polluters, including the energy-intensive infrastructure that supports their global dominance. We can show that a shift in the opposite direction: towards stronger local and regional economies is the systemic answer to the climate crisis.

4. Reassess real energy needs.

Emissions from global trade are invisible in the COP climate negotiations! Even many climate activists ignore it and point toward narrow lifestyle changes and piecemeal policy reforms.

4. Reassess real energy needs.

Let´s look honestly at who’s consuming energy and resources, and why. It’s a myth that energy is needed mainly for people's needs – for heating, cooking, and transport. In reality, the globalizing and urbanizing path is pushing us all into increased resource-use and energy-dependence.

Let´s look honestly at who’s consuming energy and resources, and why. It’s a myth that energy is needed mainly for people's needs. In reality, the globalizing and urbanizing path is pushing us into increased resource-use and energy-dependence.

It doesn’t have to be this way. As the animation shows, goods are being shipped needlessly across the world to enrich a few global corporations and prevent self-reliant economies. Digitalization and A.I. reinforce this trend. By reversing ‘trade gone mad’, we can use far fewer resources AND meet people’s real needs.

4. Reassess real energy needs.

4. Reassess real energy needs

Let´s look honestly at who’s consuming energy and resources, and why. It’s a myth that energy is needed mainly for people's needs – for heating, cooking, and transport. In reality, the globalizing and urbanizing path is pushing us all into increased resource-use and energy-dependence.

It doesn’t have to be this way. As the animation shows, goods are being shipped needlessly across the world to enrich a few global corporations and prevent self-reliant economies. Digitalization and A.I. reinforce this trend. By reversing ‘trade gone mad’, we can use far fewer resources AND meet people’s real needs.

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