What Really Counts
The Case for a Sustainable and Equitable Economy
$213.60
- Hardcover
376 pages
- Release Date
12 April 2022
Summary
Politicians and economists fixate on “growing the economy” – measured by a country’s gross domestic product. But this yardstick counts harmful activities such as greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and cigarette sales as gains, and it ignores environmental protection, voluntary community work, and other benefits. What we measure is a choice, and what is and isn’t counted determines what sorts of policies are enacted. How can we shift the focus to well-being and quality of life?
<…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780231190985 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 0231190980 |
| Author: | Ronald Colman |
| Publisher: | Columbia University Press |
| Imprint: | Columbia University Press |
| Format: | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages: | 376 |
| Release Date: | 12 April 2022 |
| Weight: | 660g |
| Dimensions: | 152mm x 229mm |
You Can Find This Book In
Critics Review
This moving firsthand saga explains why brilliant solutions so often languish on the periphery of public policy. What Really Counts is the compelling and inspiring story of a life dedicated to promoting holistic progress measures. It charts a practical and painfully learned path to the saner sustainable future we all need. – Jigmi Y. Thinley, former prime minister of Bhutan
What Really Counts is a fantastic journey on a topic that should be at the core of the transformation of our economies and societies. We urgently need this perspective, especially after our COVID-19 shutdowns, to take our world onto a sustainable development path. – Enrico Giovannini, Italian minister for sustainable infrastructures and mobility and former OECD chief statistician
Ronald Colman is an unstoppable pioneer recognizing the need to “measure what you treasure.” His roadmap, built on creating a Genuine Progress Index in Canada and on his many years working with the government of Bhutan, is a must-read for anyone interested in building a future that works for all. A page-turner! – Mathis Wackernagel, cocreator of the Ecological Footprint and cofounder of the Global Footprint Network
Unique, important, compelling, and timely, What Really Counts gets below the surface of what keeps our misguided reliance on GDP in place. Colman uncovers the political forces and vested interests involved with GDP measures and how they work together to stifle meaningful change toward a sustainable well-being economy and planet. – Robert Costanza, University College London, cofounder of the field of ecological economics
I had the pleasure of working with Ronald Colman on the establishment of GPI Atlantic. He worked tirelessly on this mission in Nova Scotia and Bhutan, producing first-class, thoroughly researched reports that push for political change on levels from local to international. This book is timely and readable in its understanding measures of progress in terms of social and intergenerational equity. – Hans Messinger, former director of industry measures, Statistics Canada
Ronald Colman
Ronald Colman is the founder and former executive director of GPI Atlantic, a nonprofit research group that built an index of well-being and sustainable development in Nova Scotia. He has worked with New Zealand government bodies and communities on measures of well-being and spent ten years in Bhutan assisting the government’s development of holistic progress measures, a new global economic paradigm, and other initiatives.
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.