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  •  Thanks for a thought-provoking diary (3+ / 0-)

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    Stampy51, Cassiodorus, Jocelyn

    I suspect that some of the solutions will be imposed by dire necessity.  E.g., a pandemic (with breakdown in shipments of oil, with failing of power networks etc. due to too many ill staff) will require a fundamentally different economic approach, with greater local self-reliance.  It would make survivability (the real sustainability) something practical instead of a theoretical idea or just PR.

    While books such as Hawken and Lovins' Natural Capitalism are a start, they still accept the premise of trade/consumerism as we know it still going on.  That is, these books typically do not address the more fundamental issue of "Is this product necessary?  Would the world be better with or without this product or activity?  Does it use up more resources than it replaces?"

    We may see a breakdown of central government function (regulations, shipping, transport, power, telephone) sooner than we think.  When we are forced to rely on local communities to survive, only then will mindsets change and new systems evolve.

    Being informed about many options will make it easier for some to adapt and help others to adapt.  I doubt that change will occur due to planned changes in policy underpinned by political/social/economic theory.

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