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New society, new claims, new perspectives
Sustainocracy was born ideologically in phases. First (in 1996 and 2005) out of frustration around the lack of humanitarian focus of the ruling system. Placing human wellness in terms of core natural human values at the kernel of societal development opened up a totally new way of thinking and handling. New claims were introduced for societal framing.
When we claim our natural freedom as human being we also need to accept the responsability that goes with it. No one will fullfill our needs but ourselves. No one can do this alone, hence we need to cocreate. With the current state of scientific and technological development we can become selfsufficient in abundance in even the most harsh environments. Sharing abundance among sustainocratic communities can overcome regional shortages. This also introduces a new way of dealing with our institutions…..
So secondly Sustainocracy became a positive invitation to join. Institutions that develop authority in servant partnership with sustainocratic communities created a core values driven identity and related importance for the community in terms of available knowledge, technological innovation, etc. They become expert instruments in the hands of result driven projects…
Money, talents, expertise, involvement, commitment, etc are means that are gathered on common project tables. Noone has more authority than others as the development of the core human values is leading. Equality and trust reigns. Result driven multidisciplinary action unites all into permanent values driven innovation.
In the third phase Sustainocracy became a genuin practical choice, not just an ideology. To go for Sustainocracy we need no permision from anyone. It is a simple choice, as was demonstrated since 2009 with the efforts of the STIR Foundation in the Netherlands. After formulating the option the population and institutions were invited to join. When they did they started their own metamorphose and eventually consolidate the Sustainocratic communities that arise through the authority each brings into the process.
In 2015 the Sustainocratic way of working received public recognition after receiving a European Award and the analytical review in a paper. Now it is subject to PhD research in all fields, mentioned in scientific papers and published in general review papers. Sustainocracy is a new reality that grows in acceptance as an evolutionary step in the evolution of human societal participation structures for sustainable human resilience, progress and wellness.
Choices that affect the world
Life is full of choices. And choices have consequences. Take this chain of historic choices for instance in the Netherlands. The peaks in every picture are directly related. Now that our air is polluted, being number 1 cause of death in the public space, what should our next choices look like?
Goods distribution
The Netherlands choose to be the center of goods distribution for Europe ever since we discovered the waters for worldwide commerce. Our geographical positioning and trading history made the development of the large Rotterdam habor and infrastructures a logical choice.
Consumer economics
Since Europe decided to focus on consumption (leaving productivity to low wage countries) the combination of distribution, infrastructure and city development became economic growth patterns. Cities are ideal, concentrated consumer platforms for economic efficiencies.
Population density, economic growth and health hazards are developing exponentially together
Air pollution
Choosing to use fuel combustion as mayor source of energy for mobility, heating and movement of goods shows consequences of premature death directly related to air pollution from burning fossil fuels. A large, services economy around the consequences develops.
Global warming, sea levels rising
The pollution contibutes to global warming with the consequence of sea levels rising. Large investments are needed to protect the Dutch mainland against the sea water. If this process continues large parts of the mainland will be flooded at places where the biggest city development has taken place. How do we protect millions or even billions of people?
Not much of Holland will be left
Global issues, local solutions, global application
When I choose to move from Spain back to Holland I noticed the equivalent reduction of quality of life due the combination of materialistic economic growth focus and growing consequences on health and environment. As a consequence my awareness developed around complex ethics and responsibilities. It became my choice to invite key local responsibilities (government, science, citizens and technology) to address People, Planet, Profit together rather than separately. Sustainocracy was born and AiREAS Eindhoven our first venture.
AiREAS is the first sustainocratic venture for healthy environments from a air quality point of view.
Choices are based on circumstances, opportunity and awareness. What would happen if Europe would change focus from consumption to productivity? What would happen if economic value would be given to positive human interaction rather than materials and goods? What would have happened to my awareness if I had stayed in Spain instead of moving to Holland? How can Holland cope with health responsibility when its economic positioning depends on unhealthy practice? What choices can we expect? What would happen if we did nothing?
Analysis of choices, consequences and sustainable human progress is becoming a modern science of its own. But whatever the outcome, the transformative reality is clear. If we do not work on those global issues locally with solutions fast we will be surprised by chaos and disaster. We will pay the highest price ever. Death. Now we still have a choice.
Two realities with the same players in the model (JP Close 2009) of human complexities: immoral financial growth and cocreation of solutions
Jean-Paul Close
Sustainocracy, the new democracy 