This from the New Economics Foundation: money does not equal happiness! I have certainly read this before, but it’s worth having a peak at a comparison of “Life Satisfaction” around the world with gross domestic product (GDP). This figure comes from “a well-being manifesto for a flourishing society” created by the New Economics Foundation. You can find them at www.neweconomics.org.
Costa Rice has about 25% of the gross domestic product of Canada, but its citizens have higher life satisfaction.
EFCL Community League Showcase poster 2011
After attending an amazing event last night, the Community League Showcase Awards in Edmonton, I found myself thinking about where change for the better comes from. It comes from the heart, no question, but the spark for change must surely be inspiration. This was certainly true of the absolutely amazing projects (see my EFCL Blog) undertaken by people in their communities. Politicians sometimes look at Community Leagues as an unpredictable rag-tag crew of stray cats that occasionally cause them headaches. But it is this rebelliousness and the lack of control over their existence that also literally allows creativity and inspiration to flow freely. When a group of folks got together in Castle Downs to building a new playground they not only figured out how to raise $2.3 million to make an amazing new playground and park facility in their community they raised more money to package up the old playground and take it to the Philippines and install it there. While visiting the Philippines their whole sense of community expanded in ways they couldn’t have imagined when their first got together to discuss building a playground in Edmotnon, Alberta.
Economics of Happiness
A week or so ago I was fortunate enough to meet with another immensely inspiring group brought together by the author of the Economics of Happiness, Mark Anielski. Mark has been exploring the idea of “Genuine Wealth” for most of his career as a natural resource economist. You may want to have a look at his book, there is inspiration throughout.
And then this morning as I was writing about the Community League Showcase Awards for my EFCL Blog an email landed in my in box from TR Duncan with a link to a video about the Occupy Wallstreet movement. While many people struggle to make sense out of the movement, I was quite taken with this young man’s explanation. See what you think.
This gallery contains 11 photos.
The nice thing about sunrise in the fall is it happens much later in the morning. Lindsey joined me on the beach for this amazing Thanksgiving sunrise at Seba Beach, Alberta.
On November 10, 2011 I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with some colleagues in Blackfalds, Alberta to talk about an idea for a new company that focuses on economics that fosters a sustainable society. Pictured are Devin Spackman, Lewis Cardinal, David Faber, Dominic Mishio, TR Duncan, Bill Craig, Mark Anielski, and David Dodge.
We met at a most pleasant coffee shop called After the Grind.
Our second trip to Costa Rica in March/April 2010 was fantastic. Darren, Jenna, Monette and me went to Poas Volcano cloud rain forests, the incredible wilds of the Osa Peninsula in the south and once again we visited Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast. The Osa Peninsula is one of the wildest pieces of lowland tropical rainforest in existence. Check out the flickr slide show below!
EFCL District B Blog