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    Keeping small businesses alive during the coronavirus / economic crisis

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 03-Apr-2020 | 10

    The coronavirus crisis is causing an economic crash that will only get worse. Research has indicated that a shortage of money will mean that up to a million UK small businesses may close in the coming months. To prevent the devastation of small businesses, and therefore our communities, there needs to be an alternative means… Continue reading Keeping small businesses alive during the coronavirus / economic crisis Read more

    Surviving the Future: an online course for our times

    Our friend Shaun Chamberlin of Dark Optimism shares news of Surviving the Future: conversations for our time, an eight week online gathering which he will be co-facilitating on behalf of Sterling College, starting on Monday 6th April. Read more

    Building the new economy: how to keep local economies trading in the economic slump caused by the coronavirus

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 29-Mar-2020 | 3

    This is the last of six articles this week about how we can keep local economies afloat during the coming economic slump. There is already a scarcity of money, as the coronavirus crisis forces businesses to lay off workers, and sole traders to give up. But it will get much worse. How can we keep… Continue reading Building the new economy: how to keep local economies trading in the economic slump caused by the coronavirus Read more

    The global money system: not the kind of ‘normality’ we should return to after the coronavirus crisis is over

    Tom Greco of Beyond Money | 25-Mar-2020 | 3

    This is the fifth in a series of articles about how mutual credit can help us get through the economic problems caused by the corona virus. The main points to get across are: There’s going to be a shortage of money. Mutual credit is a moneyless trading system. That’s it! Mutual credit can help local… Continue reading The global money system: not the kind of ‘normality’ we should return to after the coronavirus crisis is over Read more

    “Flat Earth” Money, and why there doesn’t have to be a global cashflow problem

    This is the fourth in a series of articles about how mutual credit can help us get through the economic problems caused by the corona virus. The main points to get across are: There’s going to be a shortage of money. Mutual credit is a moneyless trading system. That’s it! Mutual credit can help local… Continue reading “Flat Earth” Money, and why there doesn’t have to be a global cashflow problem Read more

    The exchange medium for the coronavirus crisis: crypto or mutual credit?

    This is the third in a series of articles about how mutual credit can help us get through the economic problems caused by the corona virus. The main points to get across are: There’s going to be a shortage of money. Mutual credit is a moneyless trading system. That’s it! Mutual credit can help local… Continue reading The exchange medium for the coronavirus crisis: crypto or mutual credit? Read more

    Covid-19 Mutual Aid Groups should look to Mutual Credit for economic resilience

    This is the second in a series of articles this week about how mutual credit can help us get through the economic problems caused by the corona virus. The main points to get across are: There’s going to be a shortage of money. Mutual credit is a moneyless trading system. That’s it! Mutual credit can… Continue reading Covid-19 Mutual Aid Groups should look to Mutual Credit for economic resilience Read more

    Mutual credit is a solution to the COVID-19 economic crisis

    This is the first in a series of articles over the next week or so about how mutual credit can help us get through the economic problems caused by the corona virus. The main points to get across are: There’s going to be a shortage of money. Mutual credit is a moneyless trading system. That’s… Continue reading Mutual credit is a solution to the COVID-19 economic crisis Read more

    What’s wrong with billionaires?

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 15-Mar-2020 | 24

    I came across a clip recently (see below) of a radio host filled with incredulity that someone might actually believe that the existence of billionaires is a bad thing. Surely any antipathy towards the super-wealthy must be based on envy or ideology? Don’t they create jobs? Aren’t they philanthropic? Don’t they pay a lot of… Continue reading What’s wrong with billionaires? Read more

    It’s all systems go for Bridport Cohousing

    We’re delighted to share exciting news from the team behind Bridport Cohousing, who are now all set to build 53 affordable eco homes in the largest cohousing project of its kind in the UK. Read more

    Local currencies: what works, what doesn’t

    Tom Greco of Beyond Money | 01-Mar-2020 | 2

    Thomas H. Greco, Jr., author of The End of Money and the Future of Civilization, shares just some of his wealth of knowledge about what works, and what doesn’t, when it comes to local currencies. Read more

    Coming together to build a new economy: Matthew Slater, barefoot economist and Credit Commons co-designer, Part 2

    In part 1 I described why a resilient economy needs be to separate from the failing capitalist juggernaut and that we need to start by finding new economic partners from without the Market. Read more

    Starting from scratch: Matthew Slater, barefoot economist and Credit Commons co-designer, Part 1

    Donald Trump recently derided Greta Thunberg and everyone pleading with government to heed environmental science as ‘doomsayers’. The more imminent peak oil or environmental collapse appear, the more intransigent our political system seems to be. Whatever the reasons for this, responsible citizens can only accomplish so much while the political and economic winds are blowing… Continue reading Starting from scratch: Matthew Slater, barefoot economist and Credit Commons co-designer, Part 1 Read more

    How to start a co-operative grocery in your town: Debbie Clarke of Unicorn Grocery, Part 2

    This is Part 2 of an interview with Debbie Clarke of Unicorn Grocery – a co-operative grocery store in Manchester. In Part 1, I talked with Debbie about what it’s like to work in a co-operative grocery. Here we talk about the “Grow your own Grocery” guide that her co-op has produced for people who… Continue reading How to start a co-operative grocery in your town: Debbie Clarke of Unicorn Grocery, Part 2 Read more

    Disillusioned with the parliamentary route to a better society? Here’s an alternative.

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 26-Jan-2020 | 8

    Before the election in December, I had a ‘lively debate’ with a friend – an old-school Labour supporter and Corbynite – who was trying to convince me that the only way that we can have an effective social safety net is by voting in a genuinely redistributive party, taxing the rich properly and spreading wealth… Continue reading Disillusioned with the parliamentary route to a better society? Here’s an alternative. Read more

    11 days left to support a collaborative new online ethical lifestyle toolkit

    We hear from our friends at the Permaculture Association about a new ethical lifestyle toolkit in the making alongside Ethical Consumer, and how you can help make it a reality by supporting their Crowdfunder campaign ahead of 26 January. We’re particularly excited about this one! It’s over to Jemma to tell us more… Read more

    Is Greta Thunberg right, and if so, what do we do about it?

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 01-Jan-2020 | 14

    I identify with Greta Thunberg. I’m also aspergic, and I understand why she’s so motivated. I talked with several people over the Christmas period who don’t like her, for various reasons – her voice; her team fly even though she doesn’t; her parents are manipulating her; she’s too angry; she once used a plastic bottle,… Continue reading Is Greta Thunberg right, and if so, what do we do about it? Read more

    What I’ve discovered about the money system and how the world is run, since working with the Open Credit Network

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 22-Dec-2019 | 0

    In the summer of 2018 I went along to Open2018 to see Matthew Slater talk about how we might shake up the money system with a global Credit Commons. After his presentation, Matthew and I met with Oliver Sylvester-Bradley of the Open Co-op, who organised the event, and decided to build a mutual credit network… Continue reading What I’ve discovered about the money system and how the world is run, since working with the Open Credit Network Read more

    New topic – ‘commoning’ – and why ‘the Tragedy of the Commons’ is wrong

    Dave Darby of Lowimpact.org | 01-Dec-2019 | 0

    At university, back in the 80s, we were taught about ‘the Tragedy of the Commons’ – an essay by Garrett Hardin, about how common resources are always abused, because humans are basically selfish. It seemed plausible at the time, but has since been shown to be false. Read more

    Decentralised collaboration, Paul Mason and more: see you at OPEN 2019 next week?

    We hear from Oliver Sylvester-Bradley about exciting opportunities to collaborate at the OPEN 2019 Community Gathering, taking place in London next week. Read more

    There’s a crash coming – a slap from Mother Nature. This isn’t pessimistic; it’s realistic.

    The human impact on nature and on each other is accelerating and needs systemic change to reverse.

    We’re not advocating poverty, or a hair-shirt existence. We advocate changes that will mean better lives for almost everyone.

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