Hello my name is Ken Pentel, Director of the Ecology Democracy Network,

Welcome to the Ecology Democracy Network website.

You can read my biography below.

Contact me directly (612-387-0601, kenpentel@yahoo.com) to receive Recent Ecology Democracy Network Reports
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Ecology Democracy Network August 2023 Report

“Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services in a given year exceeds what Earth can regenerate in that year.” https://www.overshootday.org/

 
Dear Supporters and Trackers of the Ecology Democracy Network,
 
I consider 2023 Earth Overshoot Day the most important date of the year, which landed on August 2^nd. This is consistent with the dates that overshoot has been hovering around the last 13 years (August 1^st – 10th). So, we would need 1.7 planets each year to keep up with our resource consumption, or another way of looking at it, we are living approximately 70% beyond the biocapacity of Earth to replenish. Even though it’s important, in this report I will not be able to break down in detail why "overshoot” happens based upon ideology, class, etc (You can always contact me personally or schedule a presentation to have a deeper discussion), but it does seem that we are generally aware of the condition and there are more than enough people living earth who’s lifestyle can offer guidance on how to find balance with our habitat. This idea that we can reverse overshoot may be delusional on my part, because, without a predator or something to put us in check, we as biological beings may continue to grow and consume all energy sources and habitat until we can no more.
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On July 30^th 2021 Congresswoman Omar stepped forward and introduced HR 4894: The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) Act.
(https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4894?s=1&r=5)

Here is a op-ed in the Hill:
https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/571764-enough-with-the-gdp-its-time-to-measure-genuine-progress?rl=1

Below is a standard letter and action about the GPI, as well as an introduction letter to the Ecology Democracy Network.

Contact me if you would like to arrange a presentation about the GPI or the Ecology Democracy Network.

Ken
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Dear

I’m seeking your help to develop an alternative way to measure our economy in at the federal, state and substate level.

Over the last 12 years I have been educating a variety of people and groups throughout the United States about the deficiencies using the Gross State Product (GSP)/Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to calculate the economic forecast and that a better measurement for our overall well-being would be to use the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI).
 
 Below are some main points and sources explaining the GPI:

• The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) started to emerge in the 1990’s, and at that time
  Minnesota convened a round-table on sustainability and recommended Minnesota adopt the GPI, which was defined in the MN Department of Planning’s Smart Signals report:http://www.ecologydemocracynetwork.org/downloads/EQB_Smart_Signals_1990_measure.pdf

• Since then other states, such as: Vermont, Maryland, Hawaii and Washington State have moved forward to implement the GPI: https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/hawaii-genuine-progress-indicator-hi-gpi/)
  .  (https://dnr.maryland.gov/mdgpi/Pages/default.aspx,

• Unlike the GDP, which is a growth-driver without limits, the GPI recognizes costs and limits, and can remedy overproduction and add external costs into our economy.

• The GDP does not acknowledge non-monetized activity, where the GPI values activity such as ecological services, household work, and volunteerism.

• The GDP does not care about allocation in the economy, where as the GPI signals an imbalance between rural and urban investments, as well as income.

• Also, the GDP is based on short-term, (i.e. quarterly balance sheets and yearly returns), where the GPI accounting method makes it a better economic prognosticator.