Three divergent responses to societal collapse

Most of us would rather not think about societal collapse but it is critically important that we do so. Here are three very different perspectives from leading thinkers on the topic.

Brendan BarrettNovember 20, 2024societal collapse, Climate Change Comments

Should climate protestors receive long jail sentences?

The form of punishment that climate protestors should receive is a divisive topic. What are the protesters trying to achieve and how effective are their methods?

Brendan BarrettOctober 25, 2024Climate Activism, Ethical Spectacle, Artistic ActivismComment

The city as a mosaic of ethical urban projects

Ethical urban projects are emerging in cities in response to the failure of neoliberalism. Can these projects shape our urban futures?

Brendan BarrettSeptember 20, 2024ethical cities, sustainable tourism, Ethical projectsComment

You would love a Doughnut Economy

Reflections on doughnut economics and its relevance at the sub-national level in cities and regions.

Brendan BarrettAugust 23, 2024Ethical economy, Ethical business cultureComment

Confusing Japanese response to the Earth4All survey

Japanese respondents to a recent survey by Earth4all provided interesting insights on their attitudes towards political and economic transformations. Photo by B Lucav.

Brendan BarrettJuly 30, 2024SustainabilityComment

Ode to a Nightingale - Responding to the Unaffordable Housing Crisis in Melbourne

We need greater experimentation and a more ethical approach to development so as to improve housing affordability and provide access to housing for all.

Brendan BarrettJune 17, 2024affordable housing, Ethical projectsComment

Community Wealth Building - Beyond the Preston Model

Communities in different locations are experimenting with various approaches to stimulate the development of a more ethical local economy.

Brendan BarrettMay 6, 2024ethical cities, Ethical economy, Community Wealth BuildingComment

Ethical Reading - The UK's first ethical city

Encouraging the local business community to adopt more ethical practices in the workplace, to promote local sustainability, and to make the city a better place to live in.

Brendan BarrettApril 3, 2024ethical cities, Ethical business culture, SustainabilityComment

Rise and Fall of the Bristol Pound

The story of the Bristol Pound is fascinating and illustrates the challenges encountered when trying to innovate with a social purpose to bring about positive change.

Brendan BarrettMarch 18, 2024ethical cities, local currencies, BristolComment

Accelerated Climate Change and/or Accelerated Decarbonization?

Should be we optimistic or pessimistic about the future of our climate? Will impacts of climate change increase in intensity in the near future, or can we rapidly decarbonize?

Brendan BarrettJanuary 19, 2024Climate ChangeComment

The Truman Show and Ethical Smart Cities

How would you feel if your every moment was monitored? How do we ensure that our data is protected and not used for private profit? These are just some of the questions that need to be addressed when developing smart cities.

Brendan BarrettAugust 26, 2023ethical cities, smart cities

Pathways toward more ethical cities

How would we know an ethical city when we see it? There is no simple answer. However, it is important to check if the city exhibits an orientation based on ethical principles and engaging in ethical processes.

Brendan BarrettJune 7, 2023ethical cities

Transient nature of urban living

I have lived in some of the best cities in the world. One of the most interesting aspects of my urban experience has been how each city gradually changes over time, more rapidly in some places compared to others.

Brendan BarrettMarch 16, 2023

If you did a bad thing...

What if you did a bad thing and you got a good result? Did you do a bad thing? An age old question that ethicists struggle to answer.

Brendan BarrettFebruary 16, 2023ethical cities

Philosophical musings on “waking up” to the climate emergency

Can you recall the last time you read or were told that we need to wake up to the climate crisis? What is stopping people from waking up?

Brendan BarrettJuly 4, 2022Climate Change

Exploring ethical possibilities in a small Japanese town

A small town in Japan has been playing host to an on-going conversation on ethical futures for rural communities.

Brendan BarrettJune 1, 2022ethical cities

Corrupt Cities and Post-pandemic Ethical Antidotes

As post-COVID cities build back better, tackling the corruption that impedes progress on urban issues will require a sustained ethos of care, community spirit, and selflessness that emerged during the pandemic.

Brendan BarrettApril 14, 2022ethical cities

Ethical cities could fix post-COVID-19 struggles

The post-pandemic recovery represents a unique opportunity for our cities to emerge more ethical, equitable, inclusive, sustainable and resilient.

Brendan BarrettDecember 14, 2021ethical cities

Ethical Urban Futures? Public Opinion is Now In

Recent public opinion surveys spotlight overwhelming support for climate action and indicate the shared values of urban communities that could shape equitable, ethical development.

Brendan BarrettOctober 12, 2021ethical cities