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Video: Thoreau’s Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy at Walden Pond (Ecological Civilisation Series)

I’ve released the next presentation in the Ecological Civilisation series. This talk provides an overview of Henry David Thoreau’s philosophy of sufficiency which he developed and practised while living in the woods near Walden Pond, over the years 1845-47. As a foundation, I review his critique of materialistic culture, then consider Thoreau’s ‘simple living’ approach to... read more

Post-Capitalism by Design not Disaster: Creating Common Wealth via Degrowth

Two weekends ago I delivered a keynote presentation at the New Economy Network of Australia. I’ve had several requests for a transcript, so I’ve posted it below. POST-CAPITALISM BY DESIGN NOT DISASTER Samuel Alexander MELBOURNE SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE (Keynote address at the New Economy Network of Australia Conference) Designing the Descent Good morning everyone,... read more

Just Enough is Plenty: Thoreau’s Alternative Economics

This week I published a short book called Just Enough is Plenty: Thoreau’s Alternative Economics, available in paperback here and in pdf on a ‘pay what you want’ basis here. Feel free to share the pdf as a post-consumerist Christmas present. Philip Cafaro, author of Thoreau’s Living Ethics wrote this about my new book: “Just Enough Is Plenty is a superb introduction to... read more

A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity (Full Documentary)

Last night 300 people attended the sold-out premiere screening of the new documentary, A Simpler Way: Crisis as Opportunity, which I co-produced with Jordan Osmond. After the film, David Holmgren and Helena Norberg-Hodge joined us on stage for a panel discussion which stimulated a great discussion. You can watch the film freely below and information on organising your own screening can be found here.... read more

Policies for a Post-Growth Economy

This week I published a new MSSI Issues paper called “Policies for a Post-Growth Economy”. The full article is available here. INTRODUCTION The 1972 publication of Limits to Growth sparked a controversy that has yet to subside. This book argued that if population, resource use, and pollution kept increasing on our finite planet, eventually economies would face environmental ‘limits to... read more

Want to visit Wurruk’an? Let’s build the new world together

Wurruk’an is a humble but beautiful body of land, water, and forest in the Gunai district of Gippsland, Victoria. In recent years it has become an inclusive gathering space for people seeking to pioneer and demonstrate a ‘simpler way’ of living based on permaculture principles. Among other things, we have been running mud-building workshops and growing organic food, capturing water from the skies,... read more

Introduction to “Sufficiency Economy”

Below I have posted the introduction to my new book of collected essays, Sufficiency Economy: Enough, for Everyone, Forever. This is the companion volume to Prosperous Descent: Crisis as Opportunity in an Age of Limits, published earlier this year. The paperback of Sufficiency Economy is available here. For those unable to pay or who would like an electronic version, the pdf is available on a ‘pay... read more

Sufficiency Economy: Enough, for Everyone, Forever

I’ve just published my second book of collected essays, Sufficiency Economy: Enough, for Everyone, Forever. This is the companion volume to Prosperous Descent: Crisis as Opportunity in an Age of Limits, published earlier in the year. The paperback of Sufficiency Economy is available here. Your support is greatly appreciated. For those unable to pay, the pdf is available on a ‘pay what you... read more

Greening the Apocalypse

Last night I was interviewed on Melbourne’s RRR radio, during a show called “Greening the Apocalypse”. You can listen to the interview here. The show was also the radio launch of “Apocaloptimystic”, the debut EP from the Melbourne/Christchurch duo, The Crash Narrative. More about The Crash Narrative another time. ... read more

The Case for Simplicity, by Ted Trainer

Ted Trainer has just published a new Simplicity Institute report, ‘The Case for Simplicity’. I’ve posted the brief introduction below and the full report is available here. The Case for Simplicity Why try to live more simply? I think there are two main lines of argument. The first is that global sustainability and justice cannot be achieved unless we live much more simply than the... read more
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