EcoCiv at the California Just Economy Summit
At this critical juncture in history, our economies must change with our changing climate to ensure a sustainable future for all. What could it look like to design an economy that simultaneously serves people and planet? This was the question addressed recently at the inaugural California Just Economy Summit that EcoCiv co-hosted with the California Wellbeing Economies Coalition in Sacramento, California.
What were the Goals of the Summit?
Dozens of organizations and activists working to transform California’s economy came together to discuss how an economy can support the shared wellbeing of people, rather than focusing on metrics such as gross domestic product (GDP). This was the first in-person event on this topic held in California, the state with the largest GDP in the United States. The primary goal was to look beyond the concept of GDP to find ways to support an economic system that considers every aspect of life, from social justice to education, housing, and personal livelihoods.
A defining factor of the summit was the effort to ensure that the participating groups came from a vast array of backgrounds to collaborate on the development of a state-level network. Yet, since everyone who attended the event already plays an active role in this movement, the next challenge for participants and organizers is to contemplate how to breakthrough to broader audiences, engaging and educating new stakeholders and activists to amplify the vision .
What Happened at the Summit?
The summit offered two tracks: one focusing on advocating for policy proposals and the other on creating connections and addressing relevant questions that participants may have struggled to answer independently. Through facilitated discussions, both tracks recognized that they must work together in order to support sustainable economic development initiatives. By sharing what each organization aims to accomplish, participants established clearer paths toward collaboration on economic solutions. Participating organizations emerged from the summit with an enhanced ability to explore potential partnerships with others previously unknown in the field. The trust gained between influential organizations supporting a just economy at the summit cannot be understated.
One of the projects highlighted was the TAC farm, which aims to accelerate the economy of depressed regions through the use of interconnected agricultural ventures. Another important project that was emphasized at the summit included the creation of an Indigenous-led bioregional hemp economy, which can uplift Indigenous communities to reduce textile waste and benefit from compostable food services. Although these projects are already underway, joining forces with like-minded organizations from the summit can provide greater opportunities for these ventures.
What were our Staff’s Takeaways?
Three of our team members joined the conference, including Philip Clayton, our president, Megan Anderson, our Wellbeing Economies project manager, and Sam Moon, our Managing Director. Anderson believes that the summit was an incredible success, sharing that “many people said they came in with feelings of exhaustion but left with renewed energy and hope. These kinds of events are crucial for helping prevent burnout, but they don’t take place often enough.”
Not only was this event an inspiring success, but it also served as an important starting point toward an economic revolution in California, which has an economy so large that its impacts may be felt nationally and throughout the world. We cannot wait to see how these partnerships evolve and which vital action points progress to bring about long-term sustainable change for the wellbeing of people and the planet.
Written by Juliana Arnold, EcoCiv’s Communications and Writing Assistant
