wiki.occupyboston.org - User contributions [en]

Talk:Sustainable Economy

2012-01-04T18:08:49Z

Wenzday:

[[User:Wenzday|Wenzday]] 13:08, 4 January 2012 (EST)
Pasting in some discussion about this that happened via email:
Hi Wes,

I can see that I didn't express my views the way I would like. I am sorry i was not clearer in my previous email. I will try to explain my position more clearly.

There is a problem, yes.

I was not trying to "whitewash" anything. Certainly, my words are not meant to be an attempt to "gloss over" the actual inequalities that *do exist*, as you pointed out.

My feeling is that a rational, and relatively neutral presentation of the facts (journalistic) might be a more acceptable message in general and appeal to more people in the mainstream, than using more emotionally charged statements. The facts are there. And I think most people should have a hard time disagreeing if they can see the message clearly.
I want the Occupy message to be heard and understood by as many people as possible, and also to reflect the perceptions of as many people as possible. That's my goal.

It is the only way we are going to win.

The edits I made were done out of a desire to help the message appeal to other intelligent, rational people who might be on the fence about whether they agree with occupy, and who might be turned off by language which smacks of opinionated ranting.
The current system works pretty damn well for some people, the 1%. Is seems to work ok for some others too, namely, that portion of the population who are satisfied with the status quo, either out of fear, or apathy or lack of understanding, or simply because they actually believe everything is fine. Whatever the reason, I think, ideally, occupy needs to have the skill to be able to appeal to all those people - as many of them as we can. And ideally we want those people (especially the 1%) also to realise that there is a way to get everyone's needs met. Without violence, without tyranny and without the disgusting inequity that exists today. That's what we are working towards.

I think we can change that sentence again, perhaps, to be a little clearer and I do agree with you that the page needs more work in order to reflect, as clearly and concisely as we can, the problems and possible solutions that we see. I may have some time to work on more edits to the page tomorrow or Tuesday. I hope others will contribute to the page as well.

Looking forward to meeting.

-wenzday

On 1/1/2012 6:18 PM, Wes Nickerson wrote:

> I understand that you would like to keep it positive. The fact is we are dealing with real world problems here, that we ignore at our peril. We are not Wikipedia and we do not claim to be journalistically neutral. Certainly the Boston Occupier is not neutral. Occupy is a political advocacy movement. The 99% motif has worked quite well for Occupy. The sentence I object to presents inequality as a personal feeling rather than as a fact. It reminds me of how FOX News presents climate change as a matter of opinion, rather than as a scientific fact.

>
> Even Wikipedia acknowledges the problem of inequality:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_inequality_in_the_United_States
>

> I believe we can work for positive change, without whitewashing the nature of what we are up against. In fact addressing the issues transparently is essential to our success, in transforming the economy. We're not going to change anything if we pretend like everything is ok. And if everything is ok, then why bother?
>
> In (R)Evolution,
> Wes
>
>> On Feb 12, 2012, at 5:14 PM, wenzday jane wrote:
>>
>> I was trying to make the article a little more impartial, ie, closer to the standards in use on wikipedia, which I think work pretty well journalistically.
>>
>> I, personally, have a problem with focusing on divisive language (the us.vs.them of the 99% motif) so I was just trying to be more positive (thinking about things we can do to effect change).
>>
>> I think my sentence: "While it serves the needs of some ..." is closer to the truth (and could be a more acceptable statement in general, expecially to non-activist types) than the judgement "It is unequal, unfair, unstable, and unsustainable. "
>>
>> I still think the whole thing needs more work.
>>
>>

>> On 1/1/2012 4:50 PM, Wes Nickerson wrote:

>>> While improving the layout of the wiki page and adding contact info, I discovered some edits by Wenzday. I like some of the changes, such as creating an economy that works for "everyone, in harmony with the laws of nature." I also like reference to the triple bottom line in the second paragraph. Thanks Wenzday!

>>>
>>> Other edits I disagree with, such as removing all references to wall street, congress, k street, and the 99%/1%. We are still a part of the Occupy movement, and there are real problems with the power structure of the economic system, so I think it is important to bring attention to the important issues of growing inequality, corruption, and influence buying.

>>>
>>> In particular I object to the second sentence, in reference to the economy, "While it serves the needs of some, to others it seems unequal, unfair and unstable." The inequality, unfairness, and instability of the economy have been well documented. These points are not a matter of opinion. I would suggest combining the first two sentences of the first paragraph to: "Our current economic system is becoming more and more unequal, unfair, unstable, disconnected and unsustainable, socially, fiscally, and environmentally." Maybe it should have one or more foot notes to document this fact.

Talk:Sustainable Economy

2012-01-04T18:08:15Z

Wenzday: Created page with "~~~~ Pasting in some discussion about this that happened via email: Hi Wes, I can see that I didn't express my views the way I would like. I am sorry i was not clearer in my pre..."

[[User:Wenzday|Wenzday]] 13:08, 4 January 2012 (EST)
Pasting in some discussion about this that happened via email:
Hi Wes,

I can see that I didn't express my views the way I would like. I am sorry i was not clearer in my previous email. I will try to explain my position more clearly.

There is a problem, yes.

I was not trying to "whitewash" anything. Certainly, my words are not meant to be an attempt to "gloss over" the actual inequalities that *do exist*, as you pointed out.

My feeling is that a rational, and relatively neutral presentation of the facts (journalistic) might be a more acceptable message in general and appeal to more people in the mainstream, than using more emotionally charged statements. The facts are there. And I think most people should have a hard time disagreeing if they can see the message clearly.
I want the Occupy message to be heard and understood by as many people as possible, and also to reflect the perceptions of as many people as possible. That's my goal.

It is the only way we are going to win.

The edits I made were done out of a desire to help the message appeal to other intelligent, rational people who might be on the fence about whether they agree with occupy, and who might be turned off by language which smacks of opinionated ranting.
The current system works pretty damn well for some people, the 1%. Is seems to work ok for some others too, namely, that portion of the population who are satisfied with the status quo, either out of fear, or apathy or lack of understanding, or simply because they actually believe everything is fine. Whatever the reason, I think, ideally, occupy needs to have the skill to be able to appeal to all those people - as many of them as we can. And ideally we want those people (especially the 1%) also to realise that there is a way to get everyone's needs met. Without violence, without tyranny and without the disgusting inequity that exists today. That's what we are working towards.

I think we can change that sentence again, perhaps, to be a little clearer and I do agree with you that the page needs more work in order to reflect, as clearly and concisely as we can, the problems and possible solutions that we see. I may have some time to work on more edits to the page tomorrow or Tuesday. I hope others will contribute to the page as well.

Looking forward to meeting.

-wenzday

On 1/1/2012 6:18 PM, Wes Nickerson wrote:

> I understand that you would like to keep it positive. The fact is we are dealing with real world problems here, that we ignore at our peril. We are not Wikipedia and we do not claim to be journalistically neutral. Certainly the Boston Occupier is not neutral. Occupy is a political advocacy movement. The 99% motif has worked quite well for Occupy. The sentence I object to presents inequality as a personal feeling rather than as a fact. It reminds me of how FOX News presents climate change as a matter of opinion, rather than as a scientific fact.

>
> Even Wikipedia acknowledges the problem of inequality:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Income_inequality_in_the_United_States
>

> I believe we can work for positive change, without whitewashing the nature of what we are up against. In fact addressing the issues transparently is essential to our success, in transforming the economy. We're not going to change anything if we pretend like everything is ok. And if everything is ok, then why bother?
>
> In (R)Evolution,
> Wes
>
>> On Feb 12, 2012, at 5:14 PM, wenzday jane wrote:
>>
>> I was trying to make the article a little more impartial, ie, closer to the standards in use on wikipedia, which I think work pretty well journalistically.
>>
>> I, personally, have a problem with focusing on divisive language (the us.vs.them of the 99% motif) so I was just trying to be more positive (thinking about things we can do to effect change).
>>
>> I think my sentence: "While it serves the needs of some ..." is closer to the truth (and could be a more acceptable statement in general, expecially to non-activist types) than the judgement "It is unequal, unfair, unstable, and unsustainable. "
>>
>> I still think the whole thing needs more work.
>>
>>
>> On 1/1/2012 4:50 PM, Wes Nickerson wrote:
>>> While improving the layout of the wiki page and adding contact info, I discovered some edits by Wenzday. I like some of the changes, such as creating an economy that works for "everyone, in harmony with the laws of nature." I also like reference to the triple bottom line in the second paragraph. Thanks Wenzday!
>>>
>>> Other edits I disagree with, such as removing all references to wall street, congress, k street, and the 99%/1%. We are still a part of the Occupy movement, and there are real problems with the power structure of the economic system, so I think it is important to bring attention to the important issues of growing inequality, corruption, and influence buying.
>>>
>>> In particular I object to the second sentence, in reference to the economy, "While it serves the needs of some, to others it seems unequal, unfair and unstable." The inequality, unfairness, and instability of the economy have been well documented. These points are not a matter of opinion. I would suggest combining the first two sentences of the first paragraph to: "Our current economic system is becoming more and more unequal, unfair, unstable, disconnected and unsustainable, socially, fiscally, and environmentally." Maybe it should have one or more foot notes to document this fact.

Sustainable Economy

2012-01-02T14:36:42Z

Wenzday:

==About Sustainable Economy==

Our current economic system is becoming more and more disconnected and unsustainable, socially, fiscally, and environmentally. While it serves the needs of some, it fails to serve, and even oppresses the needs of others. We see this as unfair, unstable, and unsustainable and we believe that it does not have to be that way. Our goal is to transition toward a societal structure which can become more fair and economically equal over time. Our goal is to create an economy that works for everyone, in harmony with the laws of nature.

A "sustainable economy" is an economy in which success is judged, not merely in terms of financial profit, but in accounting for social and environmental factors as well. This is known, in the business world, as the "triple bottom line". All factors must be present in judging the success of an enterprise. If one element is failing, the whole entity is failing and the system is in danger of collapse. Many businesses are adopting a triple bottom line philiosophy as a more holistic approach to assessing value and determining success for the long term. See more on triple bottom line philosophy [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line]

Our success, as humans and as a society, should be measured in terms of individual prosperity, quality of life, our ability to minimize suffering, and of the "thrive-ability" of life on the planet.
The US corporate structures and the domination structures of government are structures which disregard the overall health of the planet, and has very limited, short term sights on the health of the economy.

Stock exchanges around the world are all geared primarily toward profit. In fact, it is US corporate law which *requires* publicly traded corporations to pursue profits above all else. We believe there should be more to business than just profit.

==Goals of this working group (draft!)==

- EXPLORE the meanings of the word "sustainability" and

- CREATE AWARENESS within the Occupy Boston Community and the Boston region about the various ideas of what a "sustainable economy" might look like, so as to help ensure that OB statements and actions encourage society's move to a more sustainable society

- DISCUSS detailed practices and positions that will send the message regarding change that we believe is productive.

- DETERMINE legislative, individual practices that we believe strongly in. This task includes ECONOMIC MODELING of proposed practices/policies.

- ENCOURAGE Business and Government leaders, and Occupy Boston Working Groups to enjoy sustainable business practices.

- ADVOCATE with key public officials and the media to encourage the use of a more productive language that helps society both understand sustainability, and and move toward changes that we support.

==Ways to make the economy more sustainable==

1. [[Set of ethical business practices]] to evaluate businesses by.

2. [[Companies to Boycott and Divest From | Harmful companies]] to boycott and divest from.

3. An interactive shopping guide, [http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/index.cfm Responsible Shopper], from Green America helps you figure out which companies to buy from and invest in.

4. A searchable directory of ethical businesses at Green America's [http://www.greenpages.org/ National Green Pages] to buy from and invest in.

5. [http://www.greenamerica.org/greenbusiness/sealofapproval.cfm Green Business Seal of Approval] from Green America.

6. [[Buy Local | Directories of local businesses]] to support. (Buy Local)

7. [[Socially Responsible Business Associations | Socially responsible business associations]] for businesses to join.

8. [[Ethical Economic Models | Ethical economic models]] to explore.

9. [[Legislation to Promote Ethical Businesses | Ethical business legislation ideas]] to promote ethical businesses and penalize harmful businesses.

10. [[Books, articles, and other resources]] analyzing economic problems and offering solutions.

==Possible Projects to Work On==

1. Organize a day to divest-reinvest, such as Community Reinvestment Day. People can choose to either divest from all corporations on Wall Street or only from particularly harmful corporations. Encourage supporting socially responsible investment firms for those wishing a more traditional route.

2. Feature and honor people who make public announcements of divesting in Wall Street harmful businesses and investing in ethical businesses and local businesses on Main Street.

3. Collaborate with local banks, and credit unions to form special funds for community reinvestment. The local bank or credit union would make loans from these funds to local businesses and non-profits that meet certain criteria of ethical behavior, such as serving the local community. The community investors would receive a financial return on their investments.

==Name Change Notice==

The Sustainable Economy Working Group was formerly called Community Reinvestment.

The name was changed to encompass a broader perspective and to focus more on the issue of sustainability.

==Contact==

[mailto:SustainableEconomy@occupyboston.org SustainableEconomy@occupyboston.org] Email us if you have questions.

[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainableeconomy Sign up] for our email list to join our working group.

[[Category:Working groups]]

Sustainable Economy

2012-01-02T00:37:35Z

Wenzday:

==About Sustainable Economy==

Our current economic system is becoming more and more disconnected and unsustainable, socially, fiscally, and environmentally. While it serves the needs of some, it fails to serve, and even at times oppresses the needs of others. We see this as unfair, unstable, and unsustainable. Our goal is to transition toward a societal structure which can become more fair and economically equal over time. Our goal is to create an economy that works for everyone, in harmony with the laws of nature.

A "sustainable economy" is an economy in which success is judged, not merely in terms of financial profit, but in accounting for social and environmental factors. This is known, in the business world, as the "triple bottom line". All factors must be present in judging the success of an enterprise. If one element is failing, the whole entity is failing and the system collapses. Many businesses are adopting this philiosophy as a more holistic approach to assessing value and determining success. See more on triple bottom line philosophy[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line

Our success, as humans and as a society, should be measured in terms of individual prosperity, quality of life, our ability to minimize suffering, and of the "thrive-ability" of life on the planet.
The US corporate structures and the domination structures of government are structures which disregard the overall health of the planet, and has very limited, short term sights on the health of the economy.

Stock exchanges around the world are all geared primarily toward profit. In fact, it is US corporate law which *requires* publicly traded corporations to pursue profits above all else. We believe there should be more to business than just profit.

==Goals of this working group (draft!)==

- EXPLORE the meanings of the word "sustainability" and

- CREATE AWARENESS within the Occupy Boston Community and the Boston region about the various ideas of what a "sustainable economy" might look like, so as to help ensure that OB statements and actions encourage society's move to a more sustainable society

- DISCUSS detailed practices and positions that will send the message regarding change that we believe is productive.

- DETERMINE legislative, individual practices that we believe strongly in. This task includes ECONOMIC MODELING of proposed practices/policies.

- ENCOURAGE Business and Government leaders, and Occupy Boston Working Groups to enjoy sustainable business practices.

- ADVOCATE with key public officials and the media to encourage the use of a more productive language that helps society both understand sustainability, and and move toward changes that we support.

==Ways to make the economy more sustainable==

1. [[Set of ethical business practices]] to evaluate businesses by.

2. [[Companies to Boycott and Divest From | Harmful companies]] to boycott and divest from.

3. An interactive shopping guide, [http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/index.cfm Responsible Shopper], from Green America helps you figure out which companies to buy from and invest in.

4. A searchable directory of ethical businesses at Green America's [http://www.greenpages.org/ National Green Pages] to buy from and invest in.

5. [http://www.greenamerica.org/greenbusiness/sealofapproval.cfm Green Business Seal of Approval] from Green America.

6. [[Buy Local | Directories of local businesses]] to support. (Buy Local)

7. [[Socially Responsible Business Associations | Socially responsible business associations]] for businesses to join.

8. [[Ethical Economic Models | Ethical economic models]] to explore.

9. [[Legislation to Promote Ethical Businesses | Ethical business legislation ideas]] to promote ethical businesses and penalize harmful businesses.

10. [[Books, articles, and other resources]] analyzing economic problems and offering solutions.

==Possible Projects to Work On==

1. Organize a day to divest-reinvest, such as Community Reinvestment Day. People can choose to either divest from all corporations on Wall Street or only from particularly harmful corporations. Encourage supporting socially responsible investment firms for those wishing a more traditional route.

2. Feature and honor people who make public announcements of divesting in Wall Street harmful businesses and investing in ethical businesses and local businesses on Main Street.

3. Collaborate with local banks, and credit unions to form special funds for community reinvestment. The local bank or credit union would make loans from these funds to local businesses and non-profits that meet certain criteria of ethical behavior, such as serving the local community. The community investors would receive a financial return on their investments.

==Name Change Notice==

The Sustainable Economy Working Group was formerly called Community Reinvestment.

The name was changed to encompass a broader perspective and to focus more on the issue of sustainability.

==Contact==

[mailto:SustainableEconomy@occupyboston.org SustainableEconomy@occupyboston.org] Email us if you have questions.

[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainableeconomy Sign up] for our email list to join our working group.

[[Category:Working groups]]

Sustainable Economy

2011-12-31T21:48:47Z

Wenzday:

==About Sustainable Economy==

Our current economic system is becoming more and more disconnected and unsustainable, socially, fiscally, and environmentally. While it serves the needs of some, to others it seems unequal, unfair and unstable. Our goal is to transition toward a society which becomes more fair and economically equal over time, so that it is more stable and sustainable. Our goal is to create an economy that works for everyone, in harmony with the laws of nature.

A "sustainable economy" is an economy which is based upon the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental, and fiscal, otherwise known as the "triple bottom line". If any one of the pillars isn't sustainable, then none of it is, and the economy collapses. Many businesses are adopting this philiosophy as a more holistic approach to assessing value and determining success. See more on triple bottom line philosophy[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line

Our success, as humans and as a society, should be measured in terms of individual prosperity, quality of life, our ability to minimize suffering, and of the "thrive-ability" of life on the planet.
The US corporate structures and the domination structures of government are structures which disregard the overall health of the planet, and has very limited, short term sights on the health of the economy.

Stock exchanges around the world are all geared primarily toward profit. In fact, it is US corporate law which *requires* publicly traded corporations to pursue profits above all else. We believe there should be more to business than just profit.

==Goals of this working group (draft!)==

- EXPLORE the meanings of the word "sustainability" and

- CREATE AWARENESS within the Occupy Boston Community and the Boston region about the various ideas of what a "sustainable economy" might look like, so as to help ensure that OB statements and actions encourage society's move to a more sustainable society

- DISCUSS detailed practices and positions that will send the message regarding change that we believe is productive.

- DETERMINE legislative, individual practices that we believe strongly in. This task includes ECONOMIC MODELING of proposed practices/policies.

- ENCOURAGE Business and Government leaders, and Occupy Boston Working Groups to enjoy sustainable business practices.

- ADVOCATE with key public officials and the media to encourage the use of a more productive language that helps society both understand sustainability, and and move toward changes that we support.

==Ways to make the economy more sustainable==

1. [[Set of ethical business practices]] to evaluate businesses by.

2. [[Companies to Boycott and Divest From | Harmful companies]] to boycott and divest from.

3. An interactive shopping guide, [http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/index.cfm Responsible Shopper], from Green America helps you figure out which companies to buy from and invest in.

4. A searchable directory of ethical businesses at Green America's [http://www.greenpages.org/ National Green Pages] to buy from and invest in.

5. [http://www.greenamerica.org/greenbusiness/sealofapproval.cfm Green Business Seal of Approval] from Green America.

6. [[Buy Local | Directories of local businesses]] to support. (Buy Local)

7. [[Socially Responsible Business Associations | Socially responsible business associations]] for businesses to join.

8. [[Ethical Economic Models | Ethical economic models]] to explore.

9. [[Legislation to Promote Ethical Businesses | Ethical business legislation ideas]] to promote ethical businesses and penalize harmful businesses.

10. [[Books, articles, and other resources]] analyzing economic problems and offering solutions.

==Possible Projects to Work On==

1. Organize a day to divest-reinvest, such as Community Reinvestment Day. People can choose to either divest from all corporations on Wall Street or only from particularly harmful corporations. Encourage supporting socially responsible investment firms for those wishing a more traditional route.

2. Feature and honor people who make public announcements of divesting in Wall Street harmful businesses and investing in ethical businesses and local businesses on Main Street.

3. Collaborate with local banks, and credit unions to form special funds for community reinvestment. The local bank or credit union would make loans from these funds to local businesses and non-profits that meet certain criteria of ethical behavior, such as serving the local community. The community investors would receive a financial return on their investments.

==Name Change Notice==

The Sustainable Economy Working Group was formerly called Community Reinvestment.

The name was changed to encompass a broader perspective and to focus more on the issue of sustainability.

==Contact==

[mailto:SustainableEconomy@occupyboston.org SustainableEconomy@occupyboston.org] Email us if you have questions.

[https://lists.mayfirst.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainableeconomy Sign up] for our email list to join our working group.

[[Category:Working groups]]

Companies to Boycott and Divest From

2011-12-30T21:41:11Z

Wenzday:

Back to [http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/Community_Reinvestment Sustainable Economy Main Page]

'''This page is dedicated to identifying bad businesses, for boycott and divestment.'''

'''Greenpeace's Dirty Dozen'''

Here is a list of companies and organizations identified by Greenpeace as [http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/publications/reports/Whos-holding-us-back/ The Dirty Dozen], promoting climate change, which is destroying the delicate balance of the planet's ecosystem, leading to melting ice caps, sea rise, species extinction, extreme weather, coastal flooding, and many other devastating consequences. These harmful effects are already being experienced in many parts of the world. These effects are accelerating, while the causes of climate change are also accelerating. These trends must be reversed if we are to save the planet that we all depend upon for survival. The following companies are responsible for preventing a binding UN resolution to reverse the effects of climate change.

'''The Dirty Dozen'''

1. Royal Dutch Shell

2. Shell Canada

3. ArcelorMittal

4. ExxonMobil

5. KOCH Industries

6. BASF

7. International Chamber of Commerce

8. World Business Council for Sustainable Development

9. Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers

10. BusinessEurope

11. US Chamber of Commerce

12. American Petroleum Institute

'''The Big Bad Banks'''

Many economists, including Bank of England Governor Mervyn King, former US Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan, former US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, and former International Monetary Fund Chief Simon Johnson, have said that Banks that are "too big to fail" are "too big" and should be broken up into smaller banks. Banks that are determined to be "too big to fail" create a "moral hazard" by taking enormous risks with the world economy and are then bailed out by governments to prevent world economic collapse. The following 29 banks have been identified by the Financial Stability Board as "too big to fail."

'''Banks That Are Too Big'''

1. Bank of America

2. Bank of China

3. Bank of New York Mellon

4. Banque Populaire CdE

5. Barclays

6. BNP Paribas

7. Citigroup

8. Commerzbank

9. Credit Suisse

10. Deutsche Bank

11. Dexia

12. Goldman Sachs

13. Group Crédit Agricole

14. HSBC

15. ING Bank

16. JP Morgan Chase

17. Lloyds Banking Group

18. Mitsubishi UFJ FG

19. Mizuho FG

20. Morgan Stanley

21. Nordea

22. Royal Bank of Scotland

23. Santander

24. Société Générale

25. State Street

26. Sumitomo Mitsui FG

27. UBS

28. Unicredit Group

29. Wells Fargo

'''Other Harmful Businesses'''

1. Your additional bad businesses here...

Sustainable Economy

2011-12-30T21:20:24Z

Wenzday:

Our current economic system is becoming more and more disconnected and unsustainable, socially, fiscally, and environmentally. While it serves the needs of some, to others it seems unequal, unfair and unstable. Our goal is to transition toward a society which becomes more fair and economically equal over time, so that it is more stable and sustainable. Our goal is to create an economy that works for everyone, in harmony with the laws of nature.

A "sustainable economy" is an economy which is based upon the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental, and fiscal, otherwise known as the "triple bottom line". If any one of the pillars isn't sustainable, then none of it is, and the economy collapses. Many businesses are adopting this philiosophy as a more holistic approach to assessing value and determining success. See more on triple bottom line philosophy[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line

Our success, as humans and as a society, should be measured in terms of individual prosperity, quality of life, our ability to minimize suffering, and of the "thrive-ability" of life on the planet.
The US corporate structures and the domination structures of government are operating within a structure that disregards the overall health of the planet, and has very limited, short term sights on the health of the economy.

Stock exchanges around the world are all geared primarily toward profit. In fact, it is US corporate law which *requires* publicly traded corporations to pursue profits above all else. We believe there should be more to business than just profit.

===GOALS OF THIS WORKING GROUP (draft!)===

- EXPLORE the meanings of the word "sustainability" and

- CREATE AWARENESS within the Occupy Boston Community and the Boston region about the various ideas of what a "sustainable economy" might look like, so as to help ensure that OB statements and actions encourage society's move to a more sustainable society

- DISCUSS detailed practices and positions that will send the message regarding change that we believe is productive.

- DETERMINE legislative, individual practices that we believe strongly in. This task includes ECONOMIC MODELING of proposed practices/policies.

- ENCOURAGE Business and Government leaders, and Occupy Boston Working Groups to enjoy sustainable business practices.

- ADVOCATE with key public officials and the media to encourage the use of a more productive language that helps society both understand sustainability, and and move toward changes that we support.

===Ways to make the economy more sustainable===

1. [[Set of ethical business practices]] to evaluate businesses by.

2. [[Companies to Boycott and Divest From | Harmful companies]] to boycott and divest from.

3. An interactive shopping guide, [http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/index.cfm Responsible Shopper], from Green America helps you figure out which companies to buy from and invest in.

4. A searchable directory of ethical businesses at Green America's [http://www.greenpages.org/ National Green Pages] to buy from and invest in.

5. [http://www.greenamerica.org/greenbusiness/sealofapproval.cfm Green Business Seal of Approval] from Green America.

6. [[Buy Local | Directories of local businesses]] to support. (Buy Local)

7. [[Socially Responsible Business Associations | Socially responsible business associations]] for businesses to join.

8. [[Ethical Economic Models | Ethical economic models]] to explore.

9. [[Legislation to Promote Ethical Businesses | Ethical business legislation ideas]] to promote ethical businesses and penalize harmful businesses.

10. Organize a day to divest-reinvest, such as Community Reinvestment Day. People can choose to either divest from all corporations on Wall Street or only from particularly harmful corporations. Encourage supporting socially responsible investment firms for those wishing a more traditional route.

11. Feature and honor people who make public announcements of divesting in Wall Street harmful businesses and investing in ethical businesses and local businesses on Main Street.

12. Collaborate with local banks, and credit unions to form special funds for community reinvestment. The local bank or credit union would make loans from these funds to local businesses and non-profits that meet certain criteria of ethical behavior, such as serving the local community. The community investors would receive a financial return on their investments.

===Name Change Notice===

The Sustainable Economy Working Group was formerly called Community Reinvestment.

The name was changed to encompass a broader perspective and to focus more on the issue of sustainability.

Sustainable Economy

2011-12-30T20:54:34Z

Wenzday:

We now have an economic system which is becoming more and more unsustainable, socially, fiscally, and environmentally. It is unequal, unfair, unstable, and unsustainable. Our goal is to transition toward a society which becomes more fair and economically equal over time, so that it is more stable and sustainable. Our goal is to create an economy that works for everyone.

A sustainable economy is an economy which is based upon the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental, and fiscal. If any one of the pillars isn't sustainable, then none of it is, and the economy collapses.

Our success, as a society, is measured in improved quality of life for the 99% and reduced economic disparity between people, as well as a more sustainable environment.

The corporations on Wall Street and the lobbyists in Congress and K Street have little interest in creating a healthier planet, or a healthier populace, or even a healthier economy. Their only interest in maximizing their short term profits.

In fact, stock exchanges around the world are all geared toward short term profits. It is a world-wide rigged system. It is illegal, for Corporate Officers, to pursue anything other than "shareholder value (aka profit).

Therefore we need a world-wide strategy to change the system so that it works more for the people, the 99%, instead of leaning so far towards the benefit of the 1%. The Wall Street stock exchange itself is a fortress, protected more tightly than any bank.

So maybe instead of trying to scale the walls and break down the barricades to Wall Street it may be more effective to change it from within by encouraging its funding to be channeled, from harmful corporations on Wall Street to sustainable green businesses, which provide solutions to social and environmental problems, and local businesses, which employ members of our local communities and build up the tax base of our local communities. If you believe so, please help us...

===GOALS OF THIS WORKING GROUP (draft!)===

- CREATE AWARENESS within the Occupy Boston Community and the Boston region about sustainability, so as to help ensure that OB statements and actions encourage society's move to a more sustainable society

- DISCUSS detailed practices and positions that will send the message regarding change that we believe is productive.

- DETERMINE legislative, individual practices that we believe strongly in. This task includes ECONOMIC MODELING of proposed practices/policies.

- ENCOURAGE Business and Government leaders, and Occupy Boston Working Groups to enjoy sustainable business practices.

- ADVOCATE with key public officials and the media to encourage the use of a more productive language that helps society both understand sustainability, and and move toward changes that we support.

===Ways to make the economy more sustainable===

1. [[Set of ethical business practices]] to evaluate businesses by.

2. [[Companies to Boycott and Divest From | Harmful companies]] to boycott and divest from.

3. An interactive shopping guide, [http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/index.cfm Responsible Shopper], from Green America helps you figure out which companies to buy from and invest in.

4. A searchable directory of ethical businesses at Green America's [http://www.greenpages.org/ National Green Pages] to buy from and invest in.

5. [http://www.greenamerica.org/greenbusiness/sealofapproval.cfm Green Business Seal of Approval] from Green America.

6. [[Buy Local | Directories of local businesses]] to support. (Buy Local)

7. [[Socially Responsible Business Associations | Socially responsible business associations]] for businesses to join.

8. [[Ethical Economic Models | Ethical economic models]] to explore.

9. [[Legislation to Promote Ethical Businesses | Ethical business legislation ideas]] to promote ethical businesses and penalize harmful businesses.

10. Organize a day to divest-reinvest, such as Community Reinvestment Day. People can choose to either divest from all corporations on Wall Street or only from particularly harmful corporations. Encourage supporting socially responsible investment firms for those wishing a more traditional route.

11. Feature and honor people who make public announcements of divesting in Wall Street harmful businesses and investing in ethical businesses and local businesses on Main Street.

12. Collaborate with local banks, and credit unions to form special funds for community reinvestment. The local bank or credit union would make loans from these funds to local businesses and non-profits that meet certain criteria of ethical behavior, such as serving the local community. The community investors would receive a financial return on their investments.

===Name Change Notice===

The Sustainable Economy Working Group was formerly called Community Reinvestment.

The name was changed to encompass a broader perspective and to focus more on the issue of sustainability.