FOCUSING OUR ENERGY
FOCUSING OUR ENERGY – working together for a common goal we can all agree on
Sept. 20, 2021
I’ve been reading ‘Doughnut Economics’ by Kate Raworth and feel a measure of hope for a turning point in how societies might account for the earth’s finite resources in their economic thinking. Already some municipal governments are adopting this model – see the Time article about Amsterdam:
https://time.com/5930093/amsterdam-doughnut-economics/
What is most appealing about this new economic theory is that instead of catering to human greed it identifies the ‘sweet spot’ that brings us within the sustainable boundaries of the earth’s ability to support us, while providing a good quality of life for everyone. The traditional idea that infinite growth is universally beneficial has never sat well with me, but the fear that some have that ‘degrowth’ would mean giving up a quality of life we have grown rather used to needs to be debunked. It is, rather, a change in our vision and the way we operate that could save our necks while providing a better life for ourselves and others. My hope is that we can put aside our politics and work together, and sometimes it is nice to know that others are going down the same path!
Sustainable building practices could also be improved using this model, by factoring in how people can live ‘inside the doughnut’. Reducing energy use and the embodied carbon in buildings will help bring us within the environmental ceiling, while finding efficiencies and providing quality spaces geared to users can help establish a better social foundation. As architects we have a responsibility to promote better building practices and this economic model could be a way of improving our vision for the built world in a substantial way!
