Avoiding the most dire damages of climate change “requires transforming the world economy at a speed and scale that has ‘no documented historic precedent.’”

Life arising from death and destruction is Earth’s song of hope and God’s song of love. Building a Moral Economy: Pathways for People of Courage is a quest to hear and heed that song.

It is a quest to discover life-giving paths amidst the stark  terrain of a diseased form of economic life that we tend to accept as simply the way things are.  Theodore Roszak, in Voice of the Earth, considers criteria by which to measure a “sick society.” “While many criteria might be nominated,” he avers, “there is surely one that ranks above all others: the species that destroys its own habitat in pursuit of false values…is ‘mad’ if the word means anything.” Yes, economic life as we know it – fossil-fueled, extractive, and profit-maximizing at all costs – is driving us headlong into climate catastrophe that will displace or devastate billions. Earth’s life-support systems can no longer bear advanced global capitalism. Moreover, this economy casts countless people into anguished poverty to accumulate massive wealth for a few. An ancient Chinese proverb notes: “If we continue in the direction we are going, we will get where we are headed.” 

We can change direction. Indeed, we – and with us Earth’s capacity to sustain life – hang in the balance.  Our “now” is a turning point in history.  It is a good time to be alive.

A splendid worldwide movement to build more equitable, ecological, and democratic economies at local, regional, national, and global levels has unfolded largely unnoticed in the last three decades. Groups of people from all walks of life give rise to this creative and courageous undertaking.  These ordinary economic changemakers guide us in a life-giving redirection – from economies based on exploitation and extraction to economies that support flourishing for all.

Hosts of people of all colors, creeds, continents, and cultures hunger for a world in which all people have food, water, homes, healthcare, and all that is necessary for flourishing and in which Earth’s waters, air, soils, flora, and fauna once again hum a melody of life.  In countless ways, ordinary people are living that vision into reality. These singers of hope say “no more” to economic practices and policies that threaten Earth’s livable climate and drive some into poverty so that a few can amass exorbitant wealth. In the pages of this book – and in the subsequent book series and web-based resources that accompany them – you will meet some of these people.

In years to come, our children, grandchildren, and other cherished youngsters will ask:  “What did you do when the world and my future were in dire risk?” What will we say?  My hope is that this book might strengthen your grounds to say:  “My child, I was one of those who turned things around.  Together with the Spirit, we rescued this garden Earth and its people.“

Building a Moral Economy and the series to follow are for people who want to live in ways that build justice, joy, and life-giving relationships, and who have a hunch that economies are utterly central to that quest. 

Perhaps you already are a part of this visionary and practical flock. If so, may this book strengthen your engagement. If not then, welcome! May your trip through these pages bring you joyfully into that community of hope.

Learn more about Building a Moral Economy: Pathways for People of Courage.