Our Survival, If We Choose It

Thomas Piketty is the author of "Capital in the 21st Century," and a staunch advocate for global equality. I read "Capital" when it came out in 2014. It was considered one of the most important books of the year, and remains an excellent study of the history and future of capitalism.

Piketty is now co-director of the WIL (World Inequality Lab.) https://inequalitylab.world/en/ The WIL has done a meta analysis across multiple domains demonstrating that the technical know-how we need to survive an unequal and overheated world exists. The question is whether or not nations have the political will to implement the necessary changes.

The short version, if you don't plan to read the piece, requires a reallocation of resources away from manufacturing and production to education, health and public services, taxing the very wealthy, reducing the work week substantially, reducing consumption of meat, a move away from rampant consumerism, and developing renewable energy sources.

Tackling inequality is a prerequaite to addressing the "polycrisis." The authors state that their findings are cause for optimism, but recognize that it will be a herculean task to get the nations of the world to "sign on." Frankly, this plan may be our only hope.

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