WELCOME TO THE ECOLOGY DEMOCRACY NETWORK!

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 2nd. This is consistent with the dates that overshoot has been hovering around the last 13 years (August 1st – 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 30th 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:

     
  • 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.

I’m encouraging you to draft, introduce and pass GPI legislation. This could be used as a side x side with existing spread sheets, or as a fiscal note on the budget and in committee, thus offering policy-makers a more accurate economic picture when making policy decisions.

The Genuine Progress Indicator is not a perfect composite indicator, nor will it satisfy all partisan needs, but for policy-makers it would be a more accurate economic metric for our communities, country and planet.


Contact me anytime to discuss this further.
 
Sincerely,

Ken Pentel
Director of the Ecology Democracy Network
P.O. Box 3872, Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 387-0601


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Hello,


Welcome to the Ecology Democracy Network website. My name is Ken Pentel.

For the last 38 years I have mostly volunteered and worked in Minnesota for Greenpeace and the Green Party as an all-purpose organizer. I was also a three-time Green Party of Minnesota endorsed candidate for Governor in 1998, 2002 and 2006. In 2010 I was the endorsed candidate for Governor for the Ecology Democracy Party (kenpentel.org).

I love Minnesota, the surrounding bio-region and biosphere, and it sickens me how our culture has rationalized the destruction of our beautiful home.


One of my frustrations with organizing over the last 30 years has been the lack of discipline among the movements and organizations I have worked with. Even though we have had some crumbs of success, the goals for ecological healing, which includes all creatures of the Earth (humans included), have fallen tragically short. We need to develop a strategy that will demand greater commitments and higher expectations in our organizing formula if we want to achieve the necessary structural change.

As long as we tolerate the growth economic model on a finite resource base, accept the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an economic indicator, and allow short-term thinking by way of quarterly balance sheets and yearly returns to measure success, we will fail. As long as we accept single member, winner-take-all election systems, we will fail. As long as we accept big money running/ruining our planet, we will fail. And even though many people know this they are content to tinker with the existing rotting economic and political systems.

It is time to try a new path – a path that is more defined and disciplined.

This new organizing experiment will develop the Ecology Democracy Network. The Network is a shift from a human-centered to an ecological-centered view of the world. I believe that our health, strength, and endurance is dependent on the health, strength, and endurance of the non-human world.

Through an ecology-based economy and a more honest form of governance the Network is attempting to find the people in Minnesota who are seeking to liberate themselves, the culture, and our species from the dysfunctional patterns that have allowed all genetic history to be put at risk.
 

There are two developing pathways for transformation through the Network: (1) Education, and (2) A party-starter kit.

If you like what you read and the goals are relevant to you, then please help me in educating the people and redirecting the politics of Minnesota, so our healing energy literally leaves a healthier place for all.

As we develop the organizing formula for the Network it will require patience and persistence to see how this experiment works. Please call or email me with any questions you may have. I hope you can be part of this exciting new endeavor!

Ken Pentel
Sole proprietor of the Ecology Democracy Network