'We are now in the longest and deepest recession since the records began following the second world war'
George Osbourne
In the eyes of the economists the GDP measures how happy and successful we are. The GDP is currently going down. Are we ALL less happier and less successful?
In a seminar last week a speaker referenced the following quote from Bobby Kennedy in the 60's which I thought was very poignant. The arguments we are having regarding the development and changes faced within the economy and the difficulties of implementing climate control systems are not new. For over 60 years speeches have been made, books have been writen to encourage the world to change behaviour and think differently before it's too late. Also, during the last 60 years carbon emissions have increased, erratic weather has become more frequent, and the situation we are in has serverely worsened.
Maybe it's time to stop telling and start doing.
"Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile."
Robert F. Kennedy Address, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, March 18, 1968
No comments:
Post a Comment