[Ngo-sanrm] Vandana Shiva: How Economic Growth Has Become Anti-Life

Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources Management Working Group ngo-sanrm at ngocentre.org.vn
Sun Nov 3 03:32:39 GMT 2013


Thanks, Chuck, for sharing this. Vandana Shiva  is indeed one of the most insightful and articulate of those people that have been questioning the notion of growth ad infinitum for quite some time now. 

Regarding your comment: "The problem  is, that will reduce the wealth of the top layer of super-rich in all countries," there might be a different way to look at it. It might reduce their economic wealth, but considerably increase their sense of well-being and self-worth if the world became more equitable, less polluted. They are going to take neither their pseudo prestige and status  nor their considerable wealth with them when they leave this world. If this can be communicated effectively (I am not betting on it, but what choice do we have... I am not one for violent revolutions), maybe a tipping point for the better can be reached.

Peace,
Hari 



On Saturday, 2 November 2013, 22:34, Chuck Searcy <chuckusvn at gmail.com> wrote:
 
Most of us were disappointed when Dr. Vandana Shiva had to 
cancel her visit to Vietnam last year.  We hope she will reschedule in 
the near future.  In the meantime, she continues to write and speak out 
eloquently on issues related to agricultural sustainability, the 
environment, and protecting future generations from chemical and other 
abuses that are ravaging our life systems around the globe.  She is one of the most informed experts on issues related to GMO seeds and crops.


A major component of the problems we face has to do with "growth" as an 
non-debated goal, an assumed priority for all countries including 
Vietnam.  In fact, growth can be extremely destructive.  The way 
we are defining that term and using it as a (false) measure of 
prosperity and well-being is a factor that prevents governments from 
acting in the best interests of ordinary citizens.  It's another reason 
that government leaders are held hostage to corporate and monied 
interests that care only about tomorrow's profits -- not about the 
future of our children.  The economic terms and measurements are slanted to support the priorities of the few, and the rich.


Vandana Shiva is one of the most effective in articulating such issues -- which will require us to adjust our thinking (and the policies of 
governments) to more realistic and sustainable aims.  The problem is, 
that will reduce the wealth of the top layer of super-rich in all 
countries.


That's the battle we're facing.


CHUCK
============================
CHUCK SEARCY
71 Tran Quoc Toan, Hanoi, Vietnam
Mobile:      +84 (0) 903 420 769
Email:         chuckusvn at gmail.com
Skype:        chucksearcy
============================ 
How Economic Growth Has Become Anti-Life

by Vandana Shiva

"An obsession with growth has eclipsed our concern for 
sustainability, justice and human dignity. But people are not disposable
 – the value of life lies outside economic development."
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