The Resilience Imperative: Cooperative Transitions to a Steady-state Economy

<p>We find ourselves between a rock and a hot place—compelled by the intertwined forces of peak oil and climate change to reinvent our economic life at a much more local and regional scale. <i>The Resilience Imperative</i> argues for a major SEE (social, ecological, economic) change as a prerequisite for replacing the paradigm of limitless economic growth with a more decentralized, cooperative, steady-state economy.</p> <p>The authors present a comprehensive series of strategic questions within the broad areas of:</p> <ul> <li>Energy sufficiency</li> <li>Local food systems</li> <li>Interest-free financing</li> <li>Affordable housing and land reform</li> <li>Sustainable community development</li> </ul> <p>Each section is complemented by case studies of pioneering community initiatives rounded out by a discussion of transition factors and resilience reflections.</p> <p>With a focus on securing and sustaining change, this provocative book challenges deeply embedded cultural assumptions. Profoundly hopeful and inspiring, <i>The Resilience Imperative</i> affirms the possibilities of positive change as it is shaped by individuals, communities, and institutions learning to live within our ecological limits.</p> <p><b>Michael Lewis</b> is the executive director of the Center for Community Enterprise and is well-known internationally as a practitioner, author, educator, and leader in the field of community economic development.</p> <p><b>Patrick Conaty</b> is an honorary research fellow at the University of Birmingham and a director of Common Futures. Since 1999 he has worked for the new economics foundation (nef), where he has produced a wide range of publications about predatory lending, financial inclusion, community land trusts, and social venture finance.</p>

Author(s): Michael Lewis  

ISBN 10: 0865717079
ISBN 13: 9780865717077
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Publication: 6/12/2012