Global Economics,
Politics
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"As the new century unfolds, there are
two developments which
will have a defining impact on the
future of humanity. Our economic system is largely predicated on serving individual or nationalistic needs, not community or global needs. See: Common Assets. Companies and their leaders primarily cater to individual and national greed and bottom line profitability, often devaluing life itself. See: "The Heat Is on: The Climate Crisis, the Cover-Up, the Prescription" & THE CORPORATION: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power. While the materially prosperous segments of the populace may accept the illusion of social economic justice and respect for individual dignity as truth- the rest know better- becoming instead, society's victims. See: "The Body Hunters." Economic systems can be restructured such that to successfully compete an economic unit must subordinate its selfish interests to the collective good. And what can more contribute to the general good than preservation of a healthy and diverse global ecosystem? Quoting from a 7/4/02 article in the Economist, "Insuring a Brighter Future: "Governments must think seriously about the future implications of today's policies. Their best bet is to encourage the three powerful forces for sustainability outlined in this survey: the empowerment of local people to manage local resources and adapt to environmental change; the encouragement of science and technology, especially innovations that reduce the ecological footprint of consumption; and the greening of markets to get prices right." See also: The World Development Movement, and organization that attempts to tackles the underlying causes of poverty and hold multinational companies accountable for abuses of power. One of the principal United Nations Millennium Development goals- that all member states have agreed to meet by 2015- is to develop a global partnership for development. This encompasses: -Developing further
an open trading and financial system
that is rule-based, predictable and
non-discriminatory. Including a
commitment to good governance,
development and poverty
reduction—nationally and
internationally. LinksAmerican Solar Energy Society- The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is a national organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the global environment. ASES promotes the widespread near-term and long-term use of solar energy. American Wind Energy Association- AWEA is a national trade association that represents wind power plant developers, wind turbine manufacturers, utilities, consultants, insurers, financiers, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry -- one of the world's fastest growing energy industries. In addition, AWEA represents hundreds of wind energy advocates from around the world. Apollo Alliance is building a broad coalition within the labor, environmental, business, urban, and faith communities in support of good jobs and energy independence. The Alliance is developing public education campaigns and communications strategies to link allies and build a national constituency for a bold, broad based, and immediate program of public policy. Cool Companies.org, is a project of the Center for Energy & Climate Solutions The Center promote cleans and efficient energy technologies as a money-saving tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. It helps businesses, government, and environmental organizations develop technological, strategic, financial, and regulatory tools to foster the adoption of clean solutions. The Center for Ecoliteracy was founded in 1995 by Fritjof Capra, Peter Buckley and Zenobia Barlow. The Center for Ecoliteracy is a public foundation that supports a grant making program for educational organizations and school communities in the Bay Area, convenes networks of its grantees, sponsors projects consistent with its mission, administers donor advised funds, and manages a publishing imprint.
Center for a New American Dream,
Works with individuals, institutions,
communities and businesses to conserve
natural resources, counter the
commercialization of our culture and
promote positive changes in the way
goods are produced and consumed. Cob Cottage Company "What we do: 1) We conduct hands-on research on natural building methods and materials, testing our own buildings by living in them. 2) Through practical trainings in natural construction, we help empower ordinary people to build their own houses at moderate cost. 3) We supply information, support & inspiration for people to make healthy choices about buildings. Our inspiration comes from direct observation of Nature, and from the wisdom of traditional cultures. We are committed to deconsumerizing, to reducing the flow of cash, resources and waste, & helping others to do the same. We work with a wide range of natural materials." Cobworks is committed to building beautiful, affordable structures with natural and local material in a spirit of cooperation and social responsibility. Community Food Security Coalition is dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for all people at all times. Co-op America, provides economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to address today's social and environmental problems. Educates and empowers people and businesses to make significant improvements through the economic system. Corporate Watch Counters corporate-led globalization through education & activism. Works to foster democratic control over corporations by building grassroots globalization--a diverse movement for human rights, labor rights & environmental justice. Ecolonomics- a movement away from behavior that is ecologically and economically destructive towards activities that protect our environment and nurture our economy.
Ecostructure Financial- Goal is to
accomplish: Mass ecological leadership
development; Universal global ecological
education &
Global
Network Energy Institute- The GENI
Initiative focuses on linking renewable
energy resources around the world. Three
decades ago, visionary engineer Dr. R.
Buckminster Fuller developed the World
Game simulation, posing the question: Green Mountain Energy, Largest U.S. retail provider of electricity from less-polluting sources such as wind, water, solar, biomass, geothermal, and natural gas. Institute of Ecosystem Studies combines research and education in fulfillment of its scientific mission. Central to the Institute's mission is the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge about ecological systems. A society with a basic understanding of ecological systems and an appreciation of their role in the quality of human life is essential if natural areas are to be sustained.
International Energy Agency is an
autonomous agency linked with the
Organization for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD). The IEA is the
energy forum for 26 Member countries.
IEA Member governments are committed to
taking joint measures to meet oil supply
emergencies. They have also agreed to
share energy information, to co-ordinate
their energy policies and to co-operate
in the development of rational energy
programmes.
International Solar Energy Society-
The aim of ISES is to: To encourage the
use and acceptance of Renewable Energy
technologies. Journey To Forever Online Fuels Library, Information on biofuels, such as biodiesel. See also: Gobiodiesel.com.
The Land Institute
Make Poverty History-
Brings together a wide cross section of
The Natural Step- The Natural Step (TNS)
is an international organization that
uses a science-based, systems framework
to help organizations, individuals and
communities take steps towards
sustainability. The mission of TNS is to
catalyze systemic change and make
fundamental principles of sustainability
easier to understand and meaningful
sustainability initiatives easier to
implement. See also:
Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of
Sustainability, by Paul Hawken. Project Underground exists as a vehicle for the environmental, human rights and indigenous rights movements to carry out focused campaigns against abusive extractive resource activity. They seek to systematically deal with the problems created by the mining and oil industries by exposing environmental and human rights abuses by the corporations involved in these sectors and by building capacity amongst communities facing mineral and energy development to achieve economic and environmental justice. Schumacher College, is an international centre for ecological studies based in the beautiful Devonshire countryside of south-west England. The College welcomes participants aged 20 to 80 from all over the world.
Social
Venture Network (SVN)
is a nonprofit network committed to
building a just and sustainable world
through business. SVN promotes new
models and leadership for socially and
environmentally sustainable business in
the 21st century through initiatives,
information services and forums that
strengthen community and empower its'
members to work together on behalf of
their shared vision.
Sustainable Northwest, is
dedicated to
creating healthy ecosystems and vibrant
economies through building local
community capacity in the Pacific
Northwest, creating access to resources
and training and telling the stories of
those already making a difference
Renewable Energy Policy Project-
REPP-CREST's goal is to accelerate the
use of renewable energy by providing
credible information, insightful
analysis, and innovative strategies amid
changing energy markets and mounting
environmental needs. The combined REPP-CREST
organization boasts a strong platform
for research, publication, and
dissemination of timely information
regarding sustainable energy.
REPP-CREST's software and Internet
services provide access to a broad range
of topics: innovative public policy
reports generated by REPP-CREST,
interactive media, renewable energy
success stories, and informative on-line
discussion groups.
Rocky
Mountain Institute- RMI shows
businesses, communities, individuals,
and governments how to create more
wealth and employment, protect and
enhance natural and human capital,
increase profit and competitive
advantage, and enjoy many other
benefits—largely by doing what they do
far more efficiently.
World
Business Council for Sustainable
Development- is a coalition of 160
international companies united by a
shared commitment to sustainable
development via the three pillars of
economic growth, ecological balance and
social progress. Its objectives and
strategic directions, based on this
dedication, include: |
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