Editor’s Note

This month many PBS stations are also running a 1 hour documentary on many of the initiatives and leaders in the new economy network. Fixing the Future airs Thursday, 18 November in most places. Check local listings for times.

Sustainable Community Development

Maude Barlow gave a wonderfully stirring speech to the Environmental Grantmakers Association calling for the environmental and justice movements to integrate their efforts to promote and protect the Commons. It was great news for everyone who supports the transition to a new economy!

As more and more Americans face the financial limitations of the Great Recession, many are thinking about “new economy homes” that are smaller and more energy efficient. That’s great news for lowering our consumption and resizing the American Dream.

Environment

Bolivia continues to lead the way on progressive responses to climate change. Here the Bolivian Ambassador to the UN discusses the latest talks in China and what can be expected at COP-16 in Cancun next month.

1 Sky recently wrote a letter to the climate justice community and they had plenty to say in their open letter in response.

Ceres is pioneering a new strategy around water scarcity by asking investors, crediting agencies, and utilities to consider the efect of water shortages on the ratings for municipal bonds.

Democracy and Corporate Accountability

Perhaps you’ve heard that Glenn Beck recently attacked the Tides Foundation for sponsoring progressive organizations. Later an armed gunmen was arrested on his way to Tides and he mentioned Beck’s commentary. The scariness of this aside, Drummond Pike has lightened things up a bit with a thank you letter to Beck for all the publicity. In it he references how Beck’s references drove traffic to the Story of Stuff site. If you haven’t seen Beck on the Story of Stuff, take a minute to enjoy the ludicrousness.

Some of the biggest investors in the U.S. threw their weight behind defeating Proposition 23,  a California state legal review that would have halted implementation of a clean energy law. Investors argued that would jeopardize long-term green technology investment and socially responsible investment firms were among those who stepped up lobbying. For some it calls into question progressives’ behavior around corporate political contributions–is it OK so long as it’s for causes we like?

The midterm elections gave the progressive community pause for reflection. What went wrong? David Korten argues Obama needs an economic vision, Marshall Ganz says he needs to return to transformational leadership, and Lawrence Goodwyn provides a historical perspective.

NEN member Katrina vanden Heuvel recently covered the efforts of NEN member organization, the American Sustainable Business Council, as a progressive organization standing for small businesses across America. Katrina points out that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce claims such a role but ultimately is beholden to the 19 corporations that  give the most money.

Macroeconomic Policy

The TED talks have been a great way to share big ideas with a wide audience. Check out Tim Jackson’s economic reality check that questions the primacy of economic growth.

Neva Goodwin argues we need a New Economics for the 21st Century in World Futures Review. It’s a clear and comprehensive call for economists to begin building a discipline that effectively addresses the social, ecological, and financial crises of our time.

Social Justice

As more people become unemployed and the recession deepens, those who have exhausted their unemployment benefits (called 99ers) are getting organized. In New York City, among other places, this organizing work often takes the form of street protests.