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What Really Counts

The Case for a Sustainable and Equitable Economy

«This moving firsthand saga explains why brilliant solutions so often languish on the periphery of public policy. What Really Counts is the compelling and inspiring story of a life dedicated to promoting holistic progress measures. It charts a practical and painfully learned path to the saner sustainable future we all need.»

Jigmi Y. Thinley, former prime minister of Bhutan

Politicians and economists fixate on "growing the economy"-measured by a country's gross domestic product. But this yardstick counts harmful activities such as greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and cigarette sales as gains, and it ignores environmental protection, voluntary community work, and other benefits. Les mer

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Politicians and economists fixate on "growing the economy"-measured by a country's gross domestic product. But this yardstick counts harmful activities such as greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and cigarette sales as gains, and it ignores environmental protection, voluntary community work, and other benefits. What we measure is a choice, and what is and isn't counted determines what sorts of policies are enacted. How can we shift the focus to well-being and quality of life?

What Really Counts is an essential, firsthand story of the promise and challenges of accounting for social, economic, and environmental benefits and costs. Ronald Colman recounts two decades of working with three governments to adopt measures that more accurately and comprehensively assess true progress. Chronicling his path from Nova Scotia to New Zealand to Bhutan, Colman details the challenge of devising meaningful metrics, the effort to lay the foundations of a new economic system, and the obstacles that stand in the way. Reflecting on successes and failures, he considers how to shift policy priorities from a narrow economic-growth agenda toward a future built on sustainability and equity.

Colman has taken the critique of GDP outside the academy and attempted to realize an alternative. The lessons he offers in What Really Counts are vital for anyone interested in how we can measure what matters-and how better measures can help build a better world.

Detaljer

Forlag
Columbia University Press
Innbinding
Innbundet
Språk
Engelsk
ISBN
9780231190985
Utgivelsesår
2022
Format
23 x 15 cm

Anmeldelser

«This moving firsthand saga explains why brilliant solutions so often languish on the periphery of public policy. What Really Counts is the compelling and inspiring story of a life dedicated to promoting holistic progress measures. It charts a practical and painfully learned path to the saner sustainable future we all need.»

Jigmi Y. Thinley, former prime minister of Bhutan

«Unique, important, compelling, and timely, What Really Counts gets below the surface of what keeps our misguided reliance on GDP in place. Colman uncovers the political forces and vested interests involved with GDP measures and how they work together to stifle meaningful change toward a sustainable well-being economy and planet.»

Robert Costanza, University College London, cofounder of the field of ecological economics

«I had the pleasure of working with Ronald Colman on the establishment of GPI Atlantic. He worked tirelessly on this mission in Nova Scotia and Bhutan, producing first-class, thoroughly researched reports that push for political change on levels from local to international. This book is timely and readable in its understanding measures of progress in terms of social and intergenerational equity.»

Hans Messinger, former director of industry measures, Statistics Canada

«What Really Counts is a fantastic journey on a topic that should be at the core of the transformation of our economies and societies. We urgently need this perspective, especially after our COVID-19 shutdowns, to take our world onto a sustainable development path.»

Enrico Giovannini, Italian minister for sustainable infrastructures and mobility and former OECD chi

«Ronald Colman is an unstoppable pioneer recognizing the need to “measure what you treasure.” His roadmap, built on creating a Genuine Progress Index in Canada and on his many years working with the government of Bhutan, is a must-read for anyone interested in building a future that works for all. A page-turner!»

Mathis Wackernagel, cocreator of the Ecological Footprint and cofounder of the Global Footprint Netw

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