sábado, 23 de dezembro de 2023

Top scientist against economic growth


In a recent article published on December 20 in Nature, authored by the eminent professor of Ecological Economics at University College London, (Robert Costanza, who currently holds the impressive 841st position in the Stanford-Elsevier scientist career ranking) a compelling argument is made for a cessation of the relentless pursuit of economic growth https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-04029-8 

When I fed that article into ChatGPT and asked for advice on how to achieve the aforementioned goal, ChatGPT provided the response that is presented below. In what concerns the sixth piece of advice, I strongly believe it makes perfect sense to reproduce a text that I previously authored in a post titled "First course to die better", dated 19-11-2019:
"...This detachment is particularly significant in the context of an impending future characterized by a scarcity of employment opportunities and the formidable challenges posed by the climate emergency. Therefore, it is not only logical but perhaps even more pertinent for universities to broaden their scope and actively engage in assisting individuals to navigate and thrive within this novel and disruptive reality..."  https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2019/11/primeiro-curso-para-morrer-melhor.html

PS - Professor Robert Costanza is the lead author of the renowned paper titled "The Value of the World's Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital," which has garnered nearly 15,000 citations on Scopus and over 30,000 citations on Google Scholar to date.
  1. Raise Awareness and Mobilize: It's crucial to raise awareness about the urgency of the global issues mentioned, such as climate change, inequality, and social unrest. Mobilize communities and create movements to push for change. Utilize various platforms, including social media, to disseminate information and engage a wider audience.

  2. Advocate for Policy Changes: Support and advocate for policies that prioritize sustainable well-being over GDP growth. Engage with policymakers and decision-makers to ensure that new measures are implemented. Highlight the negative consequences of the current economic system and emphasize the benefits of transitioning to a more sustainable model.

  3. Support Alternative Metrics: Encourage the adoption of alternative metrics for societal well-being. The text mentions various indicators like the Genuine Progress Indicator and the OECD Better Life Index. Support research initiatives, such as the MERGE project, that focus on developing comprehensive indicators that go beyond GDP and consider environmental and social factors.

  4. Model Complex Dynamics: Support research that models the complex interactions between social, economic, and natural elements of societal well-being. These models can help assess the sustainability of different approaches and guide decision-makers toward more sustainable policies.

  5. Implement Sustainable Policies: Learn from examples like the European Union and the Wellbeing Economy Governments group, which includes Scotland, New Zealand, Wales, Finland, Canada, and Iceland. Analyze and promote policies that focus on biocapacity, fairness, well-being for all, and active democracy. Share successful policies and strategies with other nations.

  6. Build a Shared Vision: Create a positive and shared vision for a sustainable world. Utilize techniques from psychology, such as motivational interviewing, to engage people in discussions about their life goals and the benefits of sustainable well-being. Use creative methods, including arts and humanities, to depict a positive future aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

  7. Overcome Opposition: Acknowledge and address the challenges posed by vested interests, such as billionaires, the fossil-fuel sector, and industrial agriculture. Develop strategies to overcome opposition, including removing perverse subsidies and promoting collective actions through movements.

  8. Engage Diverse Stakeholders: Involve a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, activists, policymakers, and the general public. Collaborate with different sectors to build a comprehensive and inclusive approach to sustainable well-being.

  9. Highlight Long-Term Benefits: Emphasize the long-term benefits of transitioning to a sustainable model. While change may be difficult in the short term, stress the significant sacrifices associated with continuing down the current path and the positive impact on personal and societal well-being that sustainable practices can bring.

  10. Accelerate Progress: Act with a sense of urgency. The text expresses hope for change in 2024, so strive to accelerate progress by continuously building momentum, engaging new supporters, and influencing key decision-makers.