Today’s economy is now very large compared to the Earth. As we continue to follow the growth paradigm we are pushing the physical limits of the planet: peak oil, peak water, peak food – peak everything. Climate destabilization has already begun and if we don’t stop emitting greenhouse gases could easily be pushed into overdrive. Of course, this requires us to give up our pursuit of growth. What would that mean?

We must envision a sustainable future, an economy focused on better, not bigger: a steady state economy. Just as a forest does not need to get exponentially larger to flourish, our economy can function within the biophysical limits of the ecosystem: alive, always developing – but its overall dimensions do not expand. What we require is a change – a radical social movement pushing towards this sustainable economy. This is the Steady State Revolution.

Continued economic growth today means less for all of us – the pieces of the pie must get smaller. Our economic model grows more scarcity, increasing the cost of living not the standard of living. I want an economic model that promotes less scarcity, not more. I want an economic model that secures resources for my children and grandchildren. I want an economy where we value life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – not bigger, more, and the pursuit of growth. What has economic growth done for you lately?

The Blog

Steady State Revolution is a blog inspired by great works of ecological economists (like Herman Daly, Joshua Farley, Brian Czech, to name a few), sustainable policy makers (like Tim Jackson and Lord Stern, for example), and daily life in a world with good people working harder and harder to keep up with the addiction of (un)economic growth that is prevalent in every facet of our society. It has become obvious that our current model doesn’t work anymore and I have been inspired to investigate our hope for a system that does work: the steady state economy.

The title for this blog is taken directly from Brian Czech’s great work Shoveling Fuel for a Runaway Train. This blog is intended to act as part educational, part activist, and part inspirational. I hope not only to further the public dialogue of the growth debate, but educate others on the topics related to a sustainable society. My intention is to post 1-2 times a week (until the growth system slows and I can work less) in mostly essay format. This will change with events, news, and some posts in journalistic form or spontaneously written action posts (when I get really revved up).

About The Author

Pay No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain

My name is Joshua Nelson, I am a structural engineer by day, writer by night (and on the weekends). My partner and I live with our young son in Seattle, Washington. His future is in our hands and I intend to make this world better for him when I leave than when I came in – similar to the campsite rule.

I hold no degree in ecological economics (yet), only a bachelor’s of science in civil engineering, a strong math background, and a feverish need to read and learn. These mix together well to help me grasp the nuts-and-bolts of this subject, but also (I hope) spell out the concepts for those without a degree in economics. This blog is an avenue for me not only to learn more about ecological economics and the steady state economy, but to spread the words to others. I hope someday to earn a graduate degree in the subject.