CASSE – Centre for the Advancement of Steady State Economics

What?

The mission of CASSE is to advance the steady state economy, with stabilized population and consumption, as a policy goal with widespread public support. We pursue this mission by:
• Educating citizens, organizations, and policy makers on the conflict between economic growth and (1) environmental protection, (2) ecological and economic sustainability, and (3) national security and international stability,
• Promoting the steady state economy as a desirable alternative to economic growth,
• Studying the means to establish a steady state economy.

Why?

Perpetual economic growth is neither possible nor desirable. Growth, especially in wealthy nations, is already causing more problems than it solves.

The many and varied problems which exist cannot be ignored so in creating the Chocolution I wanted to ensure the business was modelled on a theory which will solve problems rather than create more. Herman Daly, one of the founders of the field of ecological economics and a leading critic of neoclassical growth theory, defines a steady state economy as:

An economy with constant stocks of people and artifacts, maintained at some desired, sufficient levels by low rates of maintenance ‘throughput’, that is, by the lowest feasible flows of matter and energy from the first stage of production to the last stage of consumption.

Daly, Herman. 1991. Steady-State Economics, 2nd edition. Island Press, Washington, DC. p.17.

How?

1. Taking a Position

CASSE advocates a scientifically sound position on economic growth. Individuals and organizations are invited to endorse the position (contact informaton is optional and held in private – see our privacy policy). We use the signatures and endorsements to demonstrate popular support for the position. We also collaborate with organizations that have goals aligned with ours.

2. Public Speaking

CASSE offers academic lectures, speeches to civic organizations, media interviews, professional symposia, and other events. CASSE staff members lecture frequently, and we maintain a speakers network to meet the needs of universities, high schools, professional societies, and non-governmental organizations in the United States and abroad. Please see our calendar of upcoming events.

3. Providing Information

CASSE promotes scientifically based literature that reveals the weaknesses of conventional economic growth theory and identifies the steady state economy as a natural alternative. We also maintain a substantial collection of education and information resources, such as our briefing papers and our reading list, which includes downloadable text where available.

4. Promoting Citizen Action

Through their website, literature and research, CASSE helps citizens get informed and take action to steer public policy toward a steady state economy. We believe people want an economy that is sustainable – one that will continue to provide for future generations. To that end, CASSE offers ideas about how we can get there together and invites dialogue from the public through their blog. The mission is a hopeful one, so we try to maintain both a sense of purpose and a sense of humor in our approach.

Somehow, we have come to think the whole purpose of the economy is to grow, yet growth is not a goal or purpose. The pursuit of endless growth is suicidal.

David Suzuki

For more info or to become a steady stater visit steadystate.org

Soil Association

What?

The Soil Association was founded in 1946 by a group of farmers, scientists and nutritionists who observed a direct connection between farming practice and plant, animal, human and environmental health.

Today, we are the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use.

You might expect something so vital to be organised and supported by the government. But in fact the Soil Association is a charity, reliant on donations and on the support of its members and the public to carry out its work.

Why?

Why buy organic food? Find out about the advantages and benefits of choosing organic…

Food you can trust

You can be safe in the knowledge that hydrogenated fats and controversial additives like aspartame, tartrazine and MSG are banned under organic standards.

Better for the environment

Organic farming reduces pollution and greenhouse gases released from food production by restricting the use of artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Wildlife protection

Organic farms are havens for wildlife and provide homes for bees, birds and butterflies. In fact, plant, insect and bird life is up to 50% greater on organic farms.

Higher Animal Welfare

Organic standards insist that animals are given plenty of space and fresh air to thrive and grow – guaranteeing a truly free-range life.

A GM free diet

GM crops and ingredients are banned under organic standards. Choosing organic is an effective way to avoid GM in your diet.

How?

We are the UK’s leading membership charity campaigning for healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use.

Our work is divided into three areas:

1. Facing the future

In the face of climate change and a growing world population, business as usual in our food and farming system is not an option. We want to ensure that organic systems can secure a durable and humane solution to the challenges facing us.
We help provide solutions that help people to live, eat, farm and grow with the resources that are available. We want to pioneer new solutions to tackle climate change, support biodiversity, improve animal welfare and champion fairness.
• Find out more about Facing the future

2. Good food for all

Good food, the best food, is organically grown, minimally processed, fairly traded, fresh and seasonal. And this food should be a right, not a privilege: we want to make sure everyone has access to food that is healthy for them and the planet.
Our work in schools, through the Food for Life Partnership, shows that it is possible to transform food cultures for the better – improving the life and health chances of thousands of children. We are building on this work and helping other communities to build healthier food cultures.
• Find out more about Good food for all

Enabling change

We represent and work with pioneering farmers, growers and businesses who deliver practical change – the extraordinary people who make change happen on the ground.
We provide technical support and advice to farmers and businesses, and through our trading subsidiary, Soil Association Certification, we work to create and inspire consumer trust in order to support the organic market. We also work to improve consumer understanding of organic principles and to ensure that the vision, integrity and trust at the core of our certification process are understood by anyone purchasing a product that carries our symbol.
• Find out more about Enabling change

For more info or to join the soil association soilassociation.org

Slow Food Movement

What?

Slow Food is a global, grassroots organisation with supporters in 150 countries around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to the community and the environment.
A non-profit, member supported association, with charitable educational programmes, Slow Food was created to counter the rise of fast food and fast life.

Why

We work to reconnect people with where their food comes from and how it is produced so they can understand the implications of the choices they make about the food they put on their plates. We encourage people to choose nutritious food, from sustainable, local sources which tastes great.

Slow Food UK runs a number of educational projects and a Local Group network of over 50 Groups which promote and enjoy the Slow Food way of life at a local level. We also have a shop in Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden, so do drop by and see us.

How?

We run a number of educational projects which aim to spread the Slow Food message as widely as possible.
• Slow Food Baby – a project to help parents understand the role of taste in introducing first foods to their babies.
• The Taste Adventure – a fun interactive experience for children to experience all five senses and to explore and enjoy food.
• Slow Food on Campus – an initiative that educates and brings the enjoyment of food to University students across the UK.
• Slow Food Wisdom – seeks to rediscover British food traditions and recipes that make up a vital part of our cultural inheritance.
• The Ark of Taste – a unique catalogue of exceptional food products in danger of disappearing due to current food production and distribution systems.

Our local groups are volunteer-led and a offer a range of exciting events for you to get involved in. Please see our Group page for our latest Group list. When you join, you will be assigned to your local group.

Membership

You can join as an individual, a student or a family. Members help support the Slow Food movement both in the UK and globally.

For more info or to join the slow food movement slowfood.org