|
Economic growth, as measured by GDP, unsustainable, say MSP and RSPB.
Dr Bill Wilson, SNP MSP for the West of Scotland, yesterday lodged a motion criticising the use of GDP as a measure of economic growth.
peaking today, he said, “As the 18 October 2008 issue of New Scientist magazine makes clear, the welfare of human beings is being damaged and our survival threatened by the heedless global pursuit of economic growth as measured by GDP.
“GDP is an extremely poor measure of economic success. As generally used it makes no distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ spending, even counting money spent, for example, on waging war, combating crime, treating avoidable illness and redressing avoidable environmental pollution as positive.
“Focusing on GDP encourages ever-increasing consumption rather than the fair distribution of resources. As the New Scientist acknowledges, the trickle-down theory is a dangerous myth: the poor will not be significantly helped by the rich getting richer. I would go so far as to say that we are entering an era when any increased consumption by the wealthiest should be regarded as immoral.
“Our planet’s resources are limited, and while the poorest people do need to consume more for their welfare to improve, there is no evidence that the wellbeing of the wealthiest is significantly enhanced by increased consumption.”
Dr Wilson concluded his remarks by saying, “I mentioned alternatives to GDP in an article that appeared in the March/April issue of the Scottish Left Review. Now my motion urges the Scottish Government to consider such methods of measuring economic progress. The situation is urgent; the dominant global economic system is disastrous.”
Dr Wilson’s motion was welcomed by Lloyd Austin, head of policy for RSPB Scotland, who said, “"RSPB Scotland warmly welcomes this important issue being raised by Bill Wilson MSP. At this time of economic difficulties, we hear a lot about ‘economic growth’ but, as is made clear in the New Scientist supplement and by Dr Wilson, simple economic growth is a poor measure of success. It can inadvertently encourage ‘bad’ economic activity such as that causing climate change or damage to biodiversity — and does not include positive activities such as good health or enjoyment of the natural world. RSPB Scotland would urge the Government, MSPs and others to engage in debate to identify and support a more accurate measure of our wellbeing, one that properly reflects Scotland's ambitions to be wealthier, fairer and greener.”
Notes to Editors
1. Text of Dr Wilson’s motion
S3M-02790 Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (Scottish National Party): GDP's Inadequacy as a Measure of Sustainable Economic Growth— That the Parliament notes and welcomes the Beyond Growth supplement in the 18 October 2008 edition of New Scientist magazine, which highlights the potential problems, both statistical and ecological, associated with using gross domestic product (GDP) as the major means of measuring sustainable economic growth; welcomes the Scottish Government’s overall purpose to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth and its adoption of various national outcomes, indicators of progress and targets, of which the great majority do not relate to GDP; acknowledges that the previous administration was committed to reviewing the options for additional and improved ways of measuring progress, as set out in Choosing our future, Scotland's sustainable development strategy, and urges the Scottish Government to continue this work and broaden its methods of measuring economic progress.
2. Earlier press release re economic divide
http://www.billwilsonmsp.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=284&Itemid=2
(see Notes to Editors, point 5 for link to Dr Wilson’s article in the Scottish left review re alternatives to GDP)
Author : Bill Wilson MSP
|
