Economics for Rebels

One of the ultimate drivers of nature degradation and loss is investment in activities that harm nature mediated by the financial system. There is a huge amount of policy activity aiming to address the financial flows that are damaging nature at the moment, but many seem to be light-touch initiatives that put more of an emphasis on getting private companies to disclose their impacts and dependencies, than taking real regulatory action for addressing biodiversity loss. So what can we really do to address the nature degradationembedded into the financial system? Hosted by Sophus zu Ermgassen. Edited by Aidan Knox.

Roman Hausmann, an assistant professor in ecological economics, dives into the world of grassroots initiatives that are reshaping local economies. He shares his personal motivations behind studying community-led projects and emphasizes the importance of structural changes over individual behavior. Through captivating examples like community-supported agriculture, Roman illustrates how these local efforts embody principles of cooperation and care. He also discusses the tensions faced by these initiatives and their vital relationships with public authorities, making a case for community-building in socio-ecological transformation.

One of the departures from mainstream economics in ecological economics is the way ecological economists tend to value nature for more than its pure anthropocentric, utilitarian value. So in this episode, we’ll be talking aboutprotecting some nature that gets pretty bad press: sharks! We interview award-winning conservation scientist and practitioner Dr Hollie Booth, who runs an NGO focusing on shark conservation in Indonesia whilst also running randomised controlled trials to evaluate their effectiveness. So here we get a deep dive on the economics of shark declines, and the real-world challenges of running large ecological economics field experiments in the wild. Hosted by Sophus zu Ermgassen. Edited by Aidan Knox.

Transitioning into an economy that respects planetary boundaries inevitably requires downscaling of production of certain kinds and causes major shifts within and between industries. However, it is unclear whether a truly regenerativeeconomy would demand more or less labour. What we can predict is that both the way we think about work and the types of jobs available to us will have to change. But can we create a safety net throughout these tectonic changes?  Our guest today, Charles Stevenson argues that a job guarantee is not only possible but also desirable. Hosted by Alexandra Köves. Edited by Aidan Knox.

Attila Melegh, a Hungarian sociologist and economist known for his expertise in demographics and migration, dives into the complex world of socialism and its historical experiments. He discusses the varied outcomes of socialist practices in Eastern Europe, emphasizing their successes in stability and welfare compared to neoliberalism. Melegh critiques the misconceptions surrounding state capitalism and advocates for a reevaluation of the past to inform current ecological economic theories. He argues for historically grounded models to address today's pressing ecological challenges.

It is blatantly clear that if we ever want a good life for all within planetary boundaries, we need to tackle the question of distribution and redistribution. On the one hand, we must make sure that all can live in sufficiency and dignity and on the other that those who have an enormously unequal share of the resources are forced to make do with less. In today’s episode with Marlies Glasius, we look at the possibilities to tax the superrich in a world where they seem to have most of the political as well as the economic power. Hosted by Alexandra Köves. Edited by Aidan Knox.

Join leading industrial ecologist Paul Behrens, a professor at the University of Oxford, as he unpacks the fascinating world of industrial ecology. He dives into the interconnectedness of our economy and the biosphere, highlighting how energy flows and resource management shape our future. Paul critiques the circular economy for avoiding tough truths about growth and discusses effective food system transformations, including the importance of dietary changes. He also emphasizes the need for urgent scientific communication to inspire meaningful action.

A lot of ecological economists believe that one of the fundamental drivers of nature destruction is the historical creation of the human-nature dichotomy, and we often draw inspiration from cultures who don’t view people as distinct from nature. But what lessons can we draw in countries in the global North where that human-nature dichotomy is taken to its extreme, where the overwhelming policy pressure is towards the commodification of nature? We’ll dive into some of these discussions today with Prof Julia Martin-Ortega and Dr Josh Cohen, focusing on humanity’s relationship with rivers. Hosted by Sophus zu Ermgassen. Edited by Aidan Knox.

In this engaging discussion, Tim Jackson, an ecological economist and director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity, tackles the profound concept of a care-centered economy. He argues that prioritizing health over wealth is essential for both personal and ecological wellbeing. Tim elaborates on how focusing on care can transform industries and policies, countering profit-driven approaches. He also reflects on the intersections of care and patriarchy, advocating for a systemic view of health that fosters balance and resilience.

To achieve global biodiversity and climate policy goalswe have to restore nature at a massive scale. There’s a huge debate in ecological economics about what the correct policy approach is, and in a way different approaches represent very different visions of the future; some believe these should be driven by governments, others see a major role for private finance and corporations, others in empowering civil society and local communities and more decentralised approaches to nature recovery. We’ll diveinto some of these discussions today with Dr Tim Lamont, discussing the role of large businesses in biosphere stewardship. Hosted by Sophus zu Ermgassen. Edited by Aidan Knox.