Is a world based on equitable needs, empathy, and sustainable economics possible? Fred Magdoff and Chris Williams, who co-wrote Creating an Ecological Society: Toward a Revolutionary Transformation, believe so—but such a world, they argue, would require the end of capitalism. In this Truthout interview, Magdoff—professor emeritus of plant and soil science at the University of Vermont—shares his vision with Mark Karlin.
“Mark Karlin: What would an ecological society look like to you?
Fred Magdoff: We know an incredible amount about how to use ecologically sound ways to produce what we need for a good life. Although we will learn even more as time goes on, we already know such things as how to grow high yields of food and how to create healthy soils using ecologically sound practices (without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers) and how to produce cleaner energy using renewable sources and how to store energy from intermittent sources such as wind and solar. ¶ Under capitalism, people are at the service of the economy, as workers and consumers of goods and services. In contrast, the economy of an ecological society will be at the service of humanity and its needs….”
Read the interview at Truthout
Copyright, Truthout.org. Reprinted with permission
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