Grassroots Enterprises
Friday, September 26, 2025
Will They Wrap Their Arms Around New Knowledge?
Will They Wrap Their Arms Around New Knowledge?
That question came my way in an email just after a major national conference. It was asked because the event (the Victoria Forum) had surfaced so many fresh insights and bright ideas for making the world a better place, particularly through tackling complex challenges such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In my reply, I said I was hopeful. Conferences typically offer rich learning opportunities, not just for learning in the moment, but for sparking ongoing exchanges after the event. There was so much untapped… More...
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Infinite Growth, Finite Planet—It Doesn’t Add Up
Here’s what we know. Suppose current growth rates continue without major policy or systemic change. In that case, most scientific projections suggest that within 30 years, humanity will consume as much energy and material as all of previous human history combined.
It would be comforting to dismiss this as exaggeration, but as the deep-thinking podcaster Nate Hagens reminded audiences at the recent Victoria Forum, “Infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible”.
Our “buy now, pay later” culture persists, investing heavily in the traditional economy—especially oil and gas—while overlooking the risks. Instead, more capital… More...
Monday, September 01, 2025
From Complexity to Clarity
Civilization faces a pressing dilemma: can we keep chasing infinite growth on a finite planet?
It’s a question that was front and centre for many attendees—including myself—at this year’s Victoria Forum, August 24-25th.
Hosted by the Canadian Senate and the University of Victoria, the event brought together over 600 participants from around the world. We shared ideas, expertise, reflections and bold solutions for the urgent challenges represented by the UN 17 SDGs.
Working through my copious notes will take… More...