"Business as normal is not sustainable"

Wednesday 04 November 2020

The newly-formed 'Green Guerns' group has been presenting every deputy with a copy of Kate Raworth's book 'Doughnut Economics' this morning, in an attempt to persuade them to change the island's economic mindset.

The group has been set up by Pierre Ehmann, who narrowly missed out on becoming a States Member in the recent island wide election.

"There is a growing realisation across society that economics has lost its purpose and we need to change our economic mindset," he said. "We want this Assembly to recognise that the challenge we face in the 21st century is to meet the needs of all within the means of the planet.

Pictured: Environment & Infrastructure President Lindsay de Sausmarez pictured with William Carter from Green Guerns.

"We think it is essential that our deputies are aware of current economic thinking and not working on outdated and fundamentally flawed economic ideologies.

"We are looking forward to working with the community in the coming months and years ahead to transform our way of thinking in order to better protect our environment and transition to a carbon neutral economy."

Pictured: The group has been handing out copies of 'Doughnut Economics' to Deputies this morning. 

Kate Raworth has been described as a "progressive economist" and was recently invited to join Amsterdam's post-pandemic economic planning efforts.

"Countries such as New Zealand, Scotland, Iceland and Wales are now signing up to the creation of 'Wellbeing Economies'," Mr Ehmann continued. "Essentially, this means designing policies which ensure that no one falls short on life's basic human needs and that collectively we do not overshoot our pressure on earth's life-supporting systems, on which we fundamentally depend - such as a stable climate, fertile soils and a protective ozone layer."

Pictured: Guilhem Chene from Green Guerns speaking to Deputy Neil Inder, President of Economic Development. 

"There is no reason why Guernsey should not be part of the Wellbeing Economy Government group. Reverting back to business as normal is not a sustainable option."

Green Guerns has been formed to promote the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by bringing together like-minded individuals, charities and business.

Pictured: Members of the newly-formed Green Guerns on the steps of the Royal Court building this morning. 

Pictured top: Pierre Ehmann handing a copy of 'Doughnut Economics' to the Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache.