A Transition Plan for a Thrivable Civilization by Anneloes Smitsman

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The following article provides a brief summary of a “Transition Plan for a Thrivable Civilization” by Anneloes Smitsman, Ph.D., a dear friend and colleague of Hazel Henderson. Anneloes formulated this Transition Plan based on her Ph.D. research on systems change at the Maastricht Sustainability Institute of Maastricht University. The article also provides an overview of 7 systemic barriers of mechanistic systems that need to be addressed if we are to resolve the greatest challenges of the 21st Century. In her words:”Mechanistic systems, by design, are not responsive to thresholds of vital planetary carrying capacities and social ceilings. Classical economic market mechanisms that serve as the operationalisation of mechanistic economic growth engines are unable to solve the climate crisis. They miss essential balancing loops that are necessary for regulating growth in support of life. To stop the rise of greenhouse gas emissions and the destruction of our natural world we need economic and governance systems that behave like living systems, and are informationally coherent with the planetary conditions for a thriving world and future. Furthermore, by merely focussing on sustainability targets rather than the underlying drivers of the sustainability crisis, we become blind to the deeper transformational change process that is necessary for transitioning to a thrivable civilization….” To continue reading, CLICK HERE.

  • To watch the video interview with Hazel Henderson by Jean Houston and Anneloes Smitsman, Ph.D, CLICK HERE.
  • To read the transcript of Hazel’s key messages for Return of the AvatarsCLICK HERE.