For most editions of the SPA Newsletter, we interview ‘Sister Organisations’ or fellow groups who are also advocating for population sustainability. In the case of Centre for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy (or CASSE), this worldwide organisation advocates for alternatives to the current globalised growth bases economies that currently define our societies. Population sustainability is one crucial component of the steady state economy. With CASSE ‘chapters’ accross the globe, SPA caught up with Phil Jones, secretary/treasurer for the NSW Chapter.
The SPA Newsletter, November 2024 edition may be downloaded HERE.
SPA: Phil, introduce us to CASSE NSW Inc of CASSE more broadly.
Phil: CASSE NSW Inc is part of an educational network promoting the concept of a “Steady State Economy” (SSE). Features include a stabilized population, reduced levels of consumption, and the concomitant aims of greater well-being and social equity. CASSE understands that the driving force behind the ecological crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and depletion of non-renewable resources comes as a result of unrestrained economic growth.
Initially we formed as a simple association of those who embraced Prof Herman Daly’s ideas about transitioning to a “Steady State Economy”. CASSE NSW Inc became an incorporated association in 2015. There are now over 30 CASSE Chapters in many different countries around the world, five of which are in Australia.
It envisages the growth of alternative economic structures such as cooperatives, local exchange trading systems (LETS), B Certified Corporations and Libraries of Things.
SPA: What projects, campaigns and advocacy work has CASSE NSW Inc been recently involved in?
Phil: CASSE NSW Inc has been very active over the last 9 years. We and CASSE international, located in the USA have promoted the basic concepts related to a SSE for many years. A SSE would result in a variety of changes such as:
- A sustainable population size internationally, nationally and regionally.
- A distribution of wealth which is fair and equitable on an intergenerational and international basis.
- Lower throughput of renewable resources, with an aim to recycle non-renewable resources (if possible), or replace them with renewable substitutes.
- A simpler, less consumerist life-style for our communities.
We have organised several public forums with a range of guest speakers dealing with various aspects of the dot points listed above. We have also published two books and a number of articles. Further, a number of our CASSE NSW members have contributed chapters to others books with SSE related content. Our website, https://www.casse-nsw.org.au/, provides a range of online resources for the interested public.
An independent website, ‘Our Environment and Our Economy’ hosting online lessons for Year 9-10 high school Science students has been set up in conjunction the New Economy Network Australia (NENA), describing the concept of a steady state and providing the students with a sense of direction and purpose.
CASSE NSW Inc recently participated with a stall at the “Sustainability Festival” in North Sydney in Sept 2023.
We note other Australian CASSE Chapters are also active in promoting the SSE including social media.
SPA: Tell us more about the Steady State Economy and how this offers potential solutions to many current environmental and social challenges.
Phil: Advocates of the Steady State Economy (i.e. SSE) see the economy as a subsystem of a global ecosystem, comprised of the economy, society and the natural environment. Advocating for a stabilising of the global population (perhaps at a lower level than it is now), reduces the need for arable land and sea and its expansion into natural ecosystems, providing opportunities for the maintenance of health natural ecosystems and the preservation of biodiversity. Recycling of non-renewable resources, an integral element of the SSE, will reduce mining and the pollution associated with it. Complete transition to renewable energy reduces the impact of CO2 pollution and is the most urgent feature of the SSE. Thus, the campaigns of Rising Tide, Knitting Nannas, Stop the Gate and those of Indigenous communities and farmers concerned about the expansion of the fossil fuel industries are consistent with and supported by those supporting the SSE.
The expansion of the R industries (recycling, reusing, refurbishing, repairing, “reducing”), is important element of the SSE. Not only do they lead to a reduction in demand for natural resources, they would likely lead to reduced working hours and more time for relaxation, sport and the arts. The various alternative economic structures mentioned above offer forms of social security as well as ensuring people have a valued role in the community.
Supporting the campaigns of Market Forces and BankTrack also helps in directing community savings (investment capital), towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable investments. However, with a non-growing economy the implications for superannuation need serious consideration.
SPA: We appreciate that CASSE is upfront around population sustainability as one necessary component of a steady state economy. Where do you think are the opportunities for intersection and collaboration between or organisations?
Phil: We believe that CASSE NSW Inc and SPA core missions clearly intersect. In the past we have cross promoted one another’s events. We list articles published by SPA and have made them available on our CASSE NSW Inc Website. (See https://www.casse-nsw.org.au/general-8-1)
Sharing links to one another’s websites as “similar minded” organisations is a future possibility. Advising each other of any relevant government inquiries is another way of providing mutual support. Reaching out to the Degrowth movement, communicating via WhatsApp, promoting relevant YouTube videos, sharing success stories via Facebook and other social media outlets are other forms of possible collaboration.
SPA: If our supporters would like to be more involved with CASSE in Australia and/or NSW, how may they do so?
Phil: We would invite SPA supporters to look at our CASSE NSW Inc Website and dip into and familiarise themselves with its content and engage with the SSE related material (books, videos and Articles- many are free to download).
Further many of our CASSE NSW Inc members have been or are SPA members. SPA members, upon browsing our website and reading and watching our extensive materials there, may wish to join CASSE NSW Inc. In so doing they may contribute to meetings and help advance our aims and further advance cooperation and joint events with SPA. Contact us via email : [email protected]
Find out more about Casse NSW INC at their website: https://www.casse-nsw.org.au/