ABSTRACT
Numerous proofs were given in this book that gross material turnovers are very inadequate indicators of wellbeing. Chapter 12 also reminded us that the GDP does not measure well-being, but only turnovers insofar as they become visible in monetary terms. The rising discrepancy between GDP and ‘real wealth’ was illustrated in Figure 45. And in Chapter 11 we argued that efficiency will essentially serve to buy time. We urgently need to make good use of that time to develop a civilisation that is truly sustainable. This, we believe, is the idea behind Principle 8 (on sustainable consumption and lifestyles) of the Rio declaration. We won't have addressed this challenge adequately unless we also say something about nonmaterial aspects of wellbeing.
