Sustainable Economy

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 the 99%.

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. Harmful companies to boycott and divest from.

3. An interactive shopping guide, 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 National Green Pages to buy from and invest in.

5. Green Business Seal of Approval from Green America.

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

7. Socially responsible business associations for businesses to join.

8. Ethical economic models to explore.

9. 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.