Together with our members, the Green Economy Coalition is developing a new economic vision that works for people and the planet.
But what will that fairer, greener future look like? What will it feel like to live in a truly green economy? And how will we know that we've arrived?
To find out, we asked some of the world's leading green thinkers to answer this simple question:
What does the green economy mean to you?
What they answered may surprise you - and that's why we also want to hear what you think a truly green and fair future will mean for yourself, your family, and your community. Let us know by commenting underneath this article, leaving a message on our Facebook page, or dropping us an email!
“ The green economy represents a radical new ambition for humanity: to ensure that our decision-making processes give full value to nature and what it gives to us, so that we continue to reap its benefits now and in the future.”
“ To me the green economy means that we can all breathe clean air, drink pure water, eat wholesome food grown regeneratively in locally owned operations, all contributing to a world that works for 100% of humanity. It's a world of shared well-being on a healthy planet.”
“ As an ecologist I like to think that the green economy is one that fundamentally embraces the dynamics of the Earth's life support systems, ensuring that the benefits can flow to everyone, present and future.”
“ Green Economy is a broad concept; green is a color that represents growth, balance, renewal and sustainability. Green Economy means economic development without sacrificing the environment simply because the world does not only belong to us, it belongs to many generations to come. Making our way to achieve development and prosperity, we must not forget that we need to preserve this planet and its resources so that our children and grandchildren will be able to live in the future.”
“ I believe deeply in an inclusive green economy that addresses over consumption, generates socially useful products and services and is in harmony with nature.”
“ For me achieving green economy means that everyone gets to live in a place with clean air, in a country with social justice and gender equality, in a continent where the natural world is thriving, and in a world with a stable climate and a commitment to upholding human rights for all.”
“ For me a transition to a Green Economy is THE global imperative of our time. It's a fresh opportunity to infuse decision-making at all levels with deeper considerations about the consequences of these decisions for people and planet. It is about abandoning the quest for profit and economic growth for their own sakes. It is about sustaining human progress for all, social equity, and environmental sustainability.”
“ There are many entirely-possible futures for the world, that are both much more green and radically more fair. Despite many uncertainties, it is very clear which directions are not sustainable or just – too often where things are currently headed! Among the most import drivers of green transformations, then, is continuous democratic struggle – to challenge entrenched power; emancipate a plurality of currently marginalised interests; and enable greater diversity and experiment.”
“ A green economy will be driven by entirely different goals to that of today's economy. What I find heartening is that already we can see hints of that: those businesses driven by a social purpose; moves to shift measures of national success away from GDP towards quality and distribution of economic activity; and the growing number of extraordinary community level projects driven by the hope of a socially just, sustainable future.”
“ To me, green economy is situation - when the last person can make an informed choice for a dignified income opportunity, and live in a clean and healthy environment with a supportive community.”
“ When I first began being concerned about the degradation of the environment - some fifty years ago - I could never imagine we would still be fouling our own nest as we do today. To change habits and mindsets take time. My hope is that both the growth of the GEC and its new website will help accelerate the much-needed change. Only a green, inclusive economy offers hope for the future!”
“ Canada has the know-how to marry our economic and environmental aims. A clean, strong economy is a natural extension of our Canadian values and culture.”
“ A technocratically green economy may save us all, but more than that, the one that reconnects us to nature, in our cities and in our imaginations, will be the real thing.”
