Affordable, sustainable way of life needed

The Europe-wide ‘earthquake’ election results represents a wake-up call to the business-minded politicians in government currently supposed to be representing the people.

The message to them is: “It’s not the economy, stupid — it’s an affordable, healthy and sustainable way of life, stupid!”

This aim requires balanced development of social, environmental and economic aspects. It cannot be done purely from top-down — government needs to support bottom-up development of resilience in local communities — eco-tourism, local food, local renewable energy initiatives, insulation retro-fitting, local transport, agri-forestry, community gardens and woodlands, community care, etc.