Last Thursday (1st December), ETNet screened the last Green Film of the year at The Point, Eastleigh. This film was The Economics of Happiness. A lot was learnt from watching this film. A summary of what we learnt is below:

• Rich economics and globalisation can lead to unhappiness and depression.
• Competition between businesses breaks down the community.
• People give into globalisation because people want acceptance, they want bigger, better, and more. This does not make them happy. This leads to separation and envy. People have lost their own identity.
• People want to be happy. They need to be able to rely on others. They need love they can look for. They want a sense of community.
• Consumerism and Urbanisation is very resource intensive, producing high uses of energy, water and infrastructure.
• Food is grown on intensive land – which is then delivered by trucks. More coal power stations are required. Waste is a big problem.
• If we continue to go down this route, it will lead to universal starvation and we will collapse.
• Globalisation ends in higher CO2 emissions, displacement of farmers from their land and jobs, increased unemployment, increased conflicts, destruction of roots, and discouragement of diversities.
• Governments support big businesses – they want economic growth. ”You can’t have infinite growth on a finite planet.”
• Individual action is not enough – there is a limit. We must tackle institutions that drive power and raise our voice.
• We want an economy that doesn’t aim for profit.
• Gross National Happiness has been introduced, along with GPI (Genuine Progress Index), which counts things accurately and takes into account community and natural health.
• We must move forward to Localisation: Local Banking, Local Politics, Local Cultures, Reducing our scale of economic activity, creating more accountable and sustainable economies, and support our local needs.
• We must make sure that Government subsidies go into renewable energies.
• We must work on a more human scale, create local jobs and hold local markets, support local businesses.
• Credit Unions puts money back into the community. We can also use a local currency system.
• We must support local food and support movements such as Slow Food and Permaculture, which builds more community and revitalises diversity.
• We must consider energy use: use photovoltaics, wind, and renewable energies. This can create more jobs.
• We must reconnect with each other, respect each other. This strengthens the community and strengthens ther connection with the Earth. We must learn from our elders as they have essential skills.
• People are happier being on the land. People are happier in communities.
• Happiness enriches our lives. We are happier working closer to home. We are happier rediscovering values and communities. Connection with others and the Natural World is a fundamental need.
• Break your Carbon Boundaries. Transition does just this. Support Localisation and join Eastleigh Transition Network.