1. Reduce tax on high quality reusable products (ones that last longer) and increase tax on poor quality throw away goods. 2. Introduce minimum of 3 people in cars travelling within city boundaries (Singapore have had this for a long time) to encourage usage of public transport. 3. Reduce tax, or offer incentives to farmers who install strip farming: planting of about 20-25M wide strips of trees in their paddocks. (Research shows the resulting wildlife, mainly birds, helps control bad insects, thus reducing the need for spraying. And of course the trees absorb carbon dioxide. 4. Fix the huge throw away problem around takeaway food containers: paper bags, pizza boxes, plastic Chinese/Indian food containers, etc. It destroys thousands of trees. 5. Stop Liberals from allowing forest destruction for farming and mining. 6. Can we grow much bamboo in Australia? If yes, let’s do it! 7. Encourage hemp usage. 8. Legislate for all buildings to be fitted with solar power by 2026, yeah! (Maybe use some of G and C’s tax haha! to pay for that.) 9. Discourage transportation of goods and foods from state to state that could be produced/grown in each state. Preferably without the carbon footprint of newly built factories. Use old disused ones, or research the construction versus transportation amounts of carbon footprint.
Yes to degrowth and Jason Hickel's latest book has been on my list for a while.
If I've missed this, apologies, but it would be fantastic to hear you in conversation with Indigenous activist folk both from Australia and beyond. Given that we know the impacts of climate change are being, and will be, felt by Indigenous, frontline and poorer communities first and foremost, it would be so powerful for you to use your platform to consistently amplify those voices, experiences and responses.
I am a big fan of you, but this sounds like an empty statement to me: "American conservatives, rather than working with scientists, fought viciously to block measures to curb the spread of Covid. And instead threw everything at promoting weird-ass treatments, which cost more than vaccines, were proven to be ineffective and in some cases dangerous.
Madness. Why not just support the scientists to prevent the spread of the disease in the first place?"
Have you actually done your research or are you just stating that because everything conservatives say must be wrong? Nothing is black and white. The vaccines have proven to be ineffective and didn't stop the spread at all. Continuing to force experimental (you could also call them weird-ass) vaccines on the whole population (instead of focusing on the vulnerable) that do not prevent spread nor disease is wasting a massive amount of tax payers money, which could be spent on saving the planet instead.
I am a climate activist , but I don't see why promoting alternative treatments that have been on the market for a while and preventative measures/promoting good health (Vit D intake, weight loss, less sugar, exercise) are a bad thing. And also more cost effective.
It really surprises me that you, who wrote "I quit sugar", who is really health conscious and mindful about what to put in the body puts such statements in the newsletter.
There are too many wrong ways to list (subsidising fossil fuel industry, not adequately taxing same industry) but our cruel & totally inexcusable & expensive refugee incarceration system is a shining example of an insane ‘simple’ solution to a global complex problem. Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics & her TED talk inspired me to really start thinking about economics - how can we pursue infinite growth on a finite planet? Thank you for your challenging conversations.
On the degrowth concept… I have definitely noticed small biz adapting this method (which is where all good trends start… grassroots babayyyy).
They have changed their metrics of success from growth to happiness, education, minimising footprint etc and in turn achieve ‘growth’ in the capitalist sense, because the business is authentic, isn’t doing the ugly ‘sales pitch’ marketing and genuinely connects to their customer.
I think if there is a way we can work within the current system to show how degrowth could look, it will make the concept ‘sexy’ to those pesky capitalists.
Or as you said, we need a world dictator to make us change our ways😅
(Side note: my autocorrect is telling me ‘degrowth’ isn’t a word. We need to get it in a dictionary ASAP)
Thé Dalaï Lama, while an amazing and insightful person himself that no doubt echos the sentiment in his teachings, didn’t write “The Paradox of Our Time” . It was written by Dr Bob Moorehead, a Seattle pastor, who wrote it in 1969. It’s a great writing, and the truth still holds. Always worth the read - a great perspective.
The big pharmaceuticals hijacked the covid phenomena debate by owning the govts medical advice and buried any successful alternative treatments even being investigated
I have been a big fan for a couple years now. I keep thinking as well that we know all these things (especially with climate change) and nothing is happening. What can I do? And I really crave having others to discuss these things with and potentially start change in our own community.
I live in San Francisco, and I imagine there's got to be others who follow you. I'm wondering if there is any way to connect locally with others who subscribe to your newsletter or follow you. I don't have social media, so that might make it a little challenging, but I just wanted to share the idea. I think there could be value to connecting locally to continue these conversations, sharing our feelings and seeing what action might come out of that.
I am new to Substack and I am researching topics that I find of interest. I enjoyed your take on current economic issues. I do not know if this is an appropriate way to go about this but I thought I would give it a shot. I have just made my first post and I would be interested in any constructive criticism you could offer. No pressure and no obligation. Thank you.
Yes 😩just wondering if you saw Craig Fosters national press club address last week - he takes aim at crisis issues - climate , refugees , indigenous rights -and this useless ScoMo government- additionally a rather conspicuous absence of the mainstream media . Perhaps he could be a potential podcast guest ?
Degrowth is something I’ve been pondering awhile, so I’m very excited to dive into this podcast episode. I’m extremely drawn to people who are having conversations about shifting from capitalism to other forms of economy, highlighting the fallacy (& harm) of infinite growth ideology and instead centering true costs, including human, environmental, etc. When I came across the idea years ago via Ad Buster, I didn’t fully grasp the conversation being had, or at least actionable ways to move toward this shift collectively. Kate Raworth’s TEDtalk blew my mind; I still would like to read her book. I’m currently reading Inflamed by Rupa Marya and Raj Patel about the relationship between our biological systems, the planet, and systemic political and economic injustices. Also blowing my mind. Thank you for having these conversations. I’m uncovering my purpose.
Thanks Sarah, will have a listen to this podcast this week. I feel lucky living in the heart of Barcelona where I have been able to furnish most of my flat with things I find on the streets or second hand. Pretty much most of what I wear is off the streets too. It's become a a way of life for me. I like not having a choice and making do with what presents itself out on the streets. What others see as trash become treasures to me!! There is too much stuff in the world!! I would love it if we could have a year of no knocking down buildings, no renovating and just making do with what we have. It would definitely be quieter!! Xxx
1. Reduce tax on high quality reusable products (ones that last longer) and increase tax on poor quality throw away goods. 2. Introduce minimum of 3 people in cars travelling within city boundaries (Singapore have had this for a long time) to encourage usage of public transport. 3. Reduce tax, or offer incentives to farmers who install strip farming: planting of about 20-25M wide strips of trees in their paddocks. (Research shows the resulting wildlife, mainly birds, helps control bad insects, thus reducing the need for spraying. And of course the trees absorb carbon dioxide. 4. Fix the huge throw away problem around takeaway food containers: paper bags, pizza boxes, plastic Chinese/Indian food containers, etc. It destroys thousands of trees. 5. Stop Liberals from allowing forest destruction for farming and mining. 6. Can we grow much bamboo in Australia? If yes, let’s do it! 7. Encourage hemp usage. 8. Legislate for all buildings to be fitted with solar power by 2026, yeah! (Maybe use some of G and C’s tax haha! to pay for that.) 9. Discourage transportation of goods and foods from state to state that could be produced/grown in each state. Preferably without the carbon footprint of newly built factories. Use old disused ones, or research the construction versus transportation amounts of carbon footprint.
Yes to degrowth and Jason Hickel's latest book has been on my list for a while.
If I've missed this, apologies, but it would be fantastic to hear you in conversation with Indigenous activist folk both from Australia and beyond. Given that we know the impacts of climate change are being, and will be, felt by Indigenous, frontline and poorer communities first and foremost, it would be so powerful for you to use your platform to consistently amplify those voices, experiences and responses.
Thank you for all you've done so far.
I am a big fan of you, but this sounds like an empty statement to me: "American conservatives, rather than working with scientists, fought viciously to block measures to curb the spread of Covid. And instead threw everything at promoting weird-ass treatments, which cost more than vaccines, were proven to be ineffective and in some cases dangerous.
Madness. Why not just support the scientists to prevent the spread of the disease in the first place?"
Have you actually done your research or are you just stating that because everything conservatives say must be wrong? Nothing is black and white. The vaccines have proven to be ineffective and didn't stop the spread at all. Continuing to force experimental (you could also call them weird-ass) vaccines on the whole population (instead of focusing on the vulnerable) that do not prevent spread nor disease is wasting a massive amount of tax payers money, which could be spent on saving the planet instead.
I am a climate activist , but I don't see why promoting alternative treatments that have been on the market for a while and preventative measures/promoting good health (Vit D intake, weight loss, less sugar, exercise) are a bad thing. And also more cost effective.
It really surprises me that you, who wrote "I quit sugar", who is really health conscious and mindful about what to put in the body puts such statements in the newsletter.
There are too many wrong ways to list (subsidising fossil fuel industry, not adequately taxing same industry) but our cruel & totally inexcusable & expensive refugee incarceration system is a shining example of an insane ‘simple’ solution to a global complex problem. Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics & her TED talk inspired me to really start thinking about economics - how can we pursue infinite growth on a finite planet? Thank you for your challenging conversations.
On the degrowth concept… I have definitely noticed small biz adapting this method (which is where all good trends start… grassroots babayyyy).
They have changed their metrics of success from growth to happiness, education, minimising footprint etc and in turn achieve ‘growth’ in the capitalist sense, because the business is authentic, isn’t doing the ugly ‘sales pitch’ marketing and genuinely connects to their customer.
I think if there is a way we can work within the current system to show how degrowth could look, it will make the concept ‘sexy’ to those pesky capitalists.
Or as you said, we need a world dictator to make us change our ways😅
(Side note: my autocorrect is telling me ‘degrowth’ isn’t a word. We need to get it in a dictionary ASAP)
Thé Dalaï Lama, while an amazing and insightful person himself that no doubt echos the sentiment in his teachings, didn’t write “The Paradox of Our Time” . It was written by Dr Bob Moorehead, a Seattle pastor, who wrote it in 1969. It’s a great writing, and the truth still holds. Always worth the read - a great perspective.
The big pharmaceuticals hijacked the covid phenomena debate by owning the govts medical advice and buried any successful alternative treatments even being investigated
Hi Sarah,
I have been a big fan for a couple years now. I keep thinking as well that we know all these things (especially with climate change) and nothing is happening. What can I do? And I really crave having others to discuss these things with and potentially start change in our own community.
I live in San Francisco, and I imagine there's got to be others who follow you. I'm wondering if there is any way to connect locally with others who subscribe to your newsletter or follow you. I don't have social media, so that might make it a little challenging, but I just wanted to share the idea. I think there could be value to connecting locally to continue these conversations, sharing our feelings and seeing what action might come out of that.
I am new to Substack and I am researching topics that I find of interest. I enjoyed your take on current economic issues. I do not know if this is an appropriate way to go about this but I thought I would give it a shot. I have just made my first post and I would be interested in any constructive criticism you could offer. No pressure and no obligation. Thank you.
https://waprice.substack.com/p/an-essential-life?r=1f2h3m&utm_campaign=post&utm_source=An%20Essential%20Life&utm_medium=ios
Yes 😩just wondering if you saw Craig Fosters national press club address last week - he takes aim at crisis issues - climate , refugees , indigenous rights -and this useless ScoMo government- additionally a rather conspicuous absence of the mainstream media . Perhaps he could be a potential podcast guest ?
Degrowth is something I’ve been pondering awhile, so I’m very excited to dive into this podcast episode. I’m extremely drawn to people who are having conversations about shifting from capitalism to other forms of economy, highlighting the fallacy (& harm) of infinite growth ideology and instead centering true costs, including human, environmental, etc. When I came across the idea years ago via Ad Buster, I didn’t fully grasp the conversation being had, or at least actionable ways to move toward this shift collectively. Kate Raworth’s TEDtalk blew my mind; I still would like to read her book. I’m currently reading Inflamed by Rupa Marya and Raj Patel about the relationship between our biological systems, the planet, and systemic political and economic injustices. Also blowing my mind. Thank you for having these conversations. I’m uncovering my purpose.
Thanks Sarah, will have a listen to this podcast this week. I feel lucky living in the heart of Barcelona where I have been able to furnish most of my flat with things I find on the streets or second hand. Pretty much most of what I wear is off the streets too. It's become a a way of life for me. I like not having a choice and making do with what presents itself out on the streets. What others see as trash become treasures to me!! There is too much stuff in the world!! I would love it if we could have a year of no knocking down buildings, no renovating and just making do with what we have. It would definitely be quieter!! Xxx