Book Launch for WHAT REALLY COUNTS: The Case for a Sustainable and Equitable Economy by Ronald Colman

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/292593835694598

We are very pleased to host the PEI book launch for Nova Scotia author, Ronald Colman’s new book WHAT REALLY COUNTS: The Case for a Sustainable and Equitable Economy on Thursday, May 13th at 7 PM. This event is FREE and a link to access the event is available by contact Bookmark at 902-566-4888 or charlottetown@bookmarkreads.ca.

Politicians and economists fixate on “growing the economy”—measured by a country’s gross domestic product. But this yardstick counts harmful activities such as greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and cigarette sales as gains, and it ignores environmental protection, voluntary community work, and other benefits. What we measure is a choice, and what is and isn’t counted determines what sorts of policies are enacted. How can we shift the focus to well-being and quality of life?“This is an important book that deserves the attention of politicians, business leaders, activists and concerned citizens. As we look forward to life beyond the Covid-19 pandemic there is an opportunity to re-think how we as a society view development, equity and the economy. This is a very timely and accessible book that offers clues as to what a sustainable future could look like.” says Bookmark co-owner, Dan MacDonald.

What Really Counts is an essential, firsthand story of the promise and challenges of accounting for social, economic, and environmental benefits and costs. Ronald Colman recounts two decades of working with three governments to adopt measures that more accurately and comprehensively assess true progress. Chronicling his path from Nova Scotia to New Zealand to Bhutan, Colman details the challenge of devising meaningful metrics, the effort to lay the foundations of a new economic system, and the obstacles that stand in the way. Reflecting on successes and failures, he considers how to shift policy priorities from a narrow economic-growth agenda toward a future built on sustainability and equity.Colman has taken the critique of GDP outside the academy and attempted to realize an alternative. The lessons he offers in What Really Counts are vital for anyone interested in how we can measure what matters—and how better measures can help build a better world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronald Colman is the founder and former executive director of GPI Atlantic, a nonprofit research group that built an index of well-being and sustainable development in Nova Scotia. He has worked with New Zealand government bodies and communities on measures of well-being and spent ten years in Bhutan assisting the government’s development of holistic progress measures, a new global economic paradigm, and other initiatives.