Tim Jackson Prosperity without Growth - Economics for a Finite Planet Published by Earthscan

If you listen to the news in this time of financial uncertainty, the one thing that you might be convinced is absolutely essential is to stimulate growth in the economy. It is repeated endlessly by economists and politicians of all the main parties. It is paraded as the solution to the Eurozone (and our) way out of the debt crisis. But what does growth actually mean? It implies ever-increasing resource use, ever-increasing consumption and ever-increasing waste to get rid of - all based on consumer confidence.

Ecologists and environmentalists in general have for long questioned the viability of such a vision of the future in a finite world with limited resources and a global population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050.

Tim Jackson in his groundbreaking book 'Prosperity without Growth' explains why the current economic model, which has served the developed world well of over 200 years, is fixated on growth. Economies will simply collapse if they don't grow. He also provides a model of how we might escape the treadmill of growth. There is growing evidence that wealth beyond a certain point does not add to individual happiness. As Jackson remarks: 'Stuff on its own doesn't help us flourish....To do well is about the ability to give and receive love, to enjoy the respect of our peers, to contribute usefully to society, to have a sense of belonging and trust in the community, to help create a social world and find a credible place in it'. This is not a new idea. As Euripides (about 450 BC) remarks: 'The company of just and righteous men is better than wealth and a rich estate’ - a recent Independent quote of the day!

Besides, continual growth is totally at odds with the finite resource base and the fragile ecology on which we depend for survival. Jackson suggests that the economic crisis presents us with a unique opportunity to invest in change - to sweep away the short-term thinking that has plagued society for decades. If you are concerned about the future of our world for your children and grandchildren, then read this book.

David Archer (You can borrow a copy from me or from Prudhoe Library)