A Farewell Address by the World Bank’s Most Outrageous Economist
By Donella Meadows
–February 3, 1994–
Six years ago, when the World Bank hired Herman Daly, those who knew his work were amazed. Daly is, depending on your point of view, either the most dangerous economist in the world, or the most visionary. For years he taught economics at Louisiana State and quietly wrote articles that stood much of economics on its [...]
Can There Be Capitalism in a Sustainable World?
By Donella Meadows
–January 20, 1994–
Paul Hawken, legendary founder of the Erewhon Trading Company and of the garden supply firm Smith & Hawken, was recently presented an Environmental Stewardship Award for his ecologically correct business practices. “I walked to the podium,” he says, “looked out at the sea of pearls and black ties, and … realized two things: first, that my [...]
Words for a Sustainable World
By Donella Meadows
–January 6, 1994–
Back in the 1970s when my feminist friends said they felt excluded by the word “man” — as in “the future of man” — I thought they were making a fuss over nothing.
But it was easy enough to say “people” or “humanity” instead of “man,” so I did, and gradually my gender-deafness turned into sensitivity. I [...]
Cutting Back Too Much
By Donella Meadows
–December 9, 1993–
The scramble to complete a GATT world trade agreement by December 15 is an act of desperation. There is 12 percent unemployment in France, 22 percent in Spain, 25 percent in Ireland. The Japanese bubble has burst. The industrial nations, unable to stimulate their own markets, seek salvation through invading the markets of others. Cars aren’t [...]
The NAFTA Debate–More Than Al Gore and Ross Perot
By Donella Meadows
–November 11, 1993–
Sending a pair of gladiators like Al Gore and Ross Perot into the ring is not the way to illuminate a complex issue like NAFTA. There are more positions, theories, dreams, hopes, and fears about NAFTA than could be represented by any two people, even if they were polite to each other.
That variety of opinion, which [...]
