ABSTRACT
Green economists, whose contribution is covered in this chapter, consider that there is an inherent political block preventing academic and theoretical economics from influencing the real economy to move in a direction that would be benign for the planet and so argue that the environmental problems we face as a result of economic activity cannot be solved without fundamental political changes. Green economics has not grown up as an academic discipline but from the grassroots. It is distinct from environmental economics, which uses conventional economics but brings the environment into the equation, and ecological economics, which is still a measurement-based and academically focused discipline. This chapter outlines the key values on which a green economy would be based, and describes how green economists seek to re-embed the economy within the environment. It also discusses some of the key policies needed to shift economic life towards a green economy: universal basic income, land value tax and the closed-loop economy. In keeping with the practical focus of green economics, the chapter outlines how ecologically sensitive regeneration cities might be designed and provides an account of progress made to introduce a universal basic income in various countries.
