Greening the local economy offers decent jobs, better services, and lasting prosperity

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Greening the economy at the local level will bring jobs, prosperity, and help us out of the environmental challenges we're facing. That is the finding of Green Economy at Community Scale, a new Metcalf Foundation report by Professor Tim Jackson and Professor Peter Victor two of the world's top ecological economists and leading thinkers on issues of environmental sustainability and economic growth.

It isn't enough, the authors argue, to think of the green economy in terms of business as usual — with some clean technology thrown in. The transition is both more fundamental and more exciting. The report reframes work, rethinks productivity, and offers a powerful new vision of enterprise in the service of community.

"Prosperity isn't just about having more stuff," says co-author, Tim Jackson, Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey. "It hangs on our sense of belonging and our trust in others. It depends on our ability to participate fully in the life of the community. Prosperity is the art of living well on a finite planet."

"Where little was seen to be happening at the community level, now there are expanding possibilities in investment, enterprise, and finance to come to terms with widespread environmental problems," says co-author Peter A. Victor, Professor of Environmental Studies at York University.

It's a ground-breaking paper according to Atif Kubursi, Professor Emeritus of Economics, McMaster University and also former Executive Secretary United Nations Economic and Social Commission, who says, "The report treats us to a rich menu of innovative concepts that tie together many previously unconnected ideas. Ideas such as a green economy being compatible with high employment and meaningful jobs, and that money can anchor sustainability."

Green Economy at Community Scale is one of the first research-based explorations of the green economy at the local level. The report is drawn from the authors' original analysis of the flow of natural and financial assets at the national level.

Sandy Houston, President & CEO of the Metcalf Foundation states, "Since the green economy is still a contested concept, by compiling and highlighting pragmatic examples at the community level, the paper paints a convincing case for broad-reaching changes. It's both inspiring and easy to comprehend."

Green Economy at Community Scale is published by the Metcalf Foundation and is being released in conjunction with the Canadian Society for Ecological Economics (CANSEE), 2013 biennial conference, October 31 to November 2, at York University in Toronto.

The Metcalf Foundation helps Canadians imagine and build a just, healthy, and creative society by supporting dynamic leaders who are strengthening their communities, nurturing innovative approaches to persistent problems, and encouraging dialogue and learning to inform action.

To download the report, visit: www.metcalffoundation.com.

SOURCE: Metcalf Foundation

To schedule interviews with Professors Tim Jackson and Peter A. Victor please contact:

Kim Galvez, Galvez + associates [phone] [email protected]