Nature and the Economy: Who Speaks for the Trees?

Download the chat from the live event here:Download

This week, Caroline Lucas MP, Kate Raworth, author of Doughnut Economics, and Richard Benwell, Chief Executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, teamed up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the children’s book The Lorax.

The book, which celebrates its 50th anniversary, guided the conversation as our panellists explored what the Lorax teaches us about how we run our (biggering) economy and what needs to change. As well as how can we balance urgent campaigns for nature and wildlife – such as opposing road building, securing more funding for conservation, or getting strong nature targets into law – with the task of building a new economic system which centres nature, wellbeing and people.

We urgently need the Government to prioritise the health and wellbeing of people and the planet, by pursuing a Wellbeing Economy approach. A narrow focus on GDP growth has led us to environmental, health and financial crises. Two-thirds of the public want the Treasury to put wellbeing above growth. Scotland and Wales are already part of the Wellbeing Economy Governments alliance, and as host of the COP26 climate summit, the UK Government should join in, to build and champion a Wellbeing Economy – at home and globally.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

SIGN THE PETITION We urgently need a Wellbeing Economy – one designed with the purpose of serving the wellbeing of people and the planet first and foremost. One that will deliver social justice on a healthy planet. If each of you who read this post sign this petition and share it with 10 friends, it would guarantee its debate the debate of our Shift to a Wellbeing Economy in Parliament. Sign petition
VISIT DEAL Turning Doughnut Economics from a radical idea into transformative action, visit the Doughnut Economics Action Lab to find out how to get involved. Click to learn more

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

You are welcome to join Caroline and an incredible line-up of speakers at another event: Women in the Wellbeing Economy. This is taking place at 6pm on Tuesday 7 September, and you can register here.