The New Economy puts people and planet first

ABSTRACT Our ecosystem and economy operate interdependently and are irretrievably linked. Therefore, any measure to improve and safeguard our ecosystem must include the restructuring of our economy. A New Economy is emerging through new economic institutions and approaches that are being developed in communities across this country and around the world. These new models and strategies that assure the wellbeing of humanity and the planet have within them kernels for systemic change. Two critical aspects of the New Economy are new economic performance metrics that go beyond the Gross Domestic Product and large-scale worker-owned cooperatives that provide vibrant and comfortable livelihoods while also restoring community prosperity.