economy
‘Happiness is not just about GDP’: ambitious plan or utopia?
Some will question its credibility – but the alternative future to the one imagined in the Global Justice Report is far more bleak
TL;DR
- The Global Justice Report outlines a plan for a prosperous, equitable world within planetary boundaries by the end of the century.
- The plan suggests people could work less and earn more while maintaining environmental stability.
- It incorporates "sufficiency" and "planetary habitability" to reduce the material impact of economic activity.
- The report critiques the "techno-extractivist" vision championed by Donald Trump and Silicon Valley, which prioritizes AI and fossil fuels.
- Thomas Piketty notes that billionaires' economic projects, like covering the planet with datacenters, increase the material footprint and worsen global warming.
- The report aims to correct a flaw in climate science by incorporating social scientists to address social dynamics, economics, politics, and psychology.
- It argues that "green growth" and focusing solely on production without distribution or sufficiency has made green policy unpopular.
- The report widens the definition of prosperity to include quality of life over material goods, echoing ancient philosophies and Bhutan's "gross national happiness."
- Sufficiency means less working hours, different consumption patterns, and more health and education, not necessarily degrowth.
- The authors welcome debate and plan to revise the report based on suggestions.
- A cultural shift in perceiving the "good life" is necessary for change.
- Past social mobilizations demonstrate the potential for rapid improvement, and future crises will necessitate significant change.