The Common Ills: It's Time to Activate a New Economy

Bioneers Pulse – updates from the Bioneers Community

Bioneer,

It’s hard to ignore the systemic problems plaguing our country. From the uncertain state of our economy to growing inequity to our increasingly corrupt political system, major shifts will be essential to address these interlinked issues. The good news is that change is already underway. From worker cooperatives and public banks to new strategies for locally controlled clean energy, communities across the country are laying the groundwork for an inspiring vision of the next economy. In this week’s newsletter, we hear from thought leaders like Gar Alperovitz and Ellen Brown on why we need a new economy, steps that are currently being taken in this new direction, and what comes next.

People to Know:

Gar Alperovitz: The New Economy Movement

To learn how a new economy could benefit millions of Americans, Bioneers spoke with Gar Alperovitz, co-founder and co-chair of the Next System Project and the Democracy Collaborative. Alperovitz discusses the challenges of dealing with the institutions currently holding a vast amount of power and how several U.S. cities are embracing radical solutions to big issues, such as worker-owned land trusts and credit unions. Check out the full interview here.

Ellen Brown: Following the Money

An attorney and leading public banking advocate, Ellen Brown is a founder of the Public Banking Institute and Senior Fellow of the Democracy Collaborative. She is also the author of hundreds of articles and 13 books, including the best-selling Web of Debt and Banking on the People, and co-host of the “It’s Our Money” radio program on PRN.FM. Bioneers sat down with Brown to discuss the speculative economy, public banking, and whether we are headed toward another major financial crisis. Check out the full interview here.

Partner Podcast: The Next System

If you’re craving a deep dive, check out this wonderful podcast from our partners at The Next System Project. Hosted by Adam Simpson, The Next System Podcast is a weekly series featuring guests who discuss movements, models and pathways toward a new system. Listen and subscribe here.

Video of the Week: How to Build a New Economy

With a growing interest in co-ops, public banking and worker-owned companies, could we be setting a new standard for the American ideal, while building a more sustainable economy? In this video, part of a series called “Seeding the Field: 30 Years of Transformative Solutions,” hear from Gar Alperovitz and Ted Howard about the systemic changes they believe could change the politics, the economy and the environment for the better. Watch and share via Facebook and Bioneers.org.

Sponsor Spotlight: Organic Valley

Employee ownership is one of the most exciting and quickly scaling components of a New Economy. Longtime Bioneers partner Organic Valley is an outstanding example of an employee-owned company taken to scale. As they say, "Our farmers own the company. Not the other way around." Learn more.

We're proud to have Organic Valley as a sponsor of the 2019 Bioneers Conference.

Don't Miss: Bioneers 2019 Early Bird Tickets!

This great deal won’t last long! Buy your ticket now for 20% off the regular price.

Learn More: The New Economy Coalition

A network of organizations imagining and building a future where people, communities, and ecosystems thrive, The New Economy Coalition (NEC) is working toward uprooting current economies and politics so a new, beneficial system can take root. To keep up to date on where the movement is headed, many of us at Bioneers subscribe to their newsletter—and you can too. Learn more here.

The Latest from Bioneers.org:

The new documentary film Poisoning Paradise tells the story of local activists in Hawai’i who are battling political corruption, corporate bullying and systematic concealment by the agrochemical industry. Bioneers sat down with director Keely Brosnan to discuss how the film addresses the community’s ongoing struggle to advance bold new legislation governing the fate of their island home.

The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens designed and built three green buildings that meet the Living Building Challenge and other stringent, forward-thinking certifications. Here, President and CEO of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Richard V. Piacentini addresses one of the biggest misconceptions behind building green: the cost.