Is the economic crisis a result of economic, credit, financial or environmental issues?  What are some possible ways to resolve it; is a spending spree/stimulus a wise idea?  Should the spending be by individuals or by governments?  Should taxes be higher or lower? 

Manuel Costa illustrated aspects of the crisis by telling a tale about the Eco family, a hypothetical farming family that for generations had operated and managed the farm in a sustainable manner.  Over time however, the farmer started using credit to help expand the farm operation enabling the farm to make more money and employ more people. 

Many of the conservation practices used in the past were dropped in order to expedite operations and get a quicker return for the business.  The Eco family became the most prosperous and neighbours who had initially despised the Eco's affluent lifestyle also joined the band wagon.

Credit became the new oxygen of life.  Use and consume now, money, resources, air, water, etc and some day, far enough in the future, we'll try to come up with a way of paying back that credit. Ability to repay was no longer a concern and people successively ignored warnings.

But the problems were real and when the oldest and most respected banks in town started to fail, there was no more denying. Governments had to acknowledge they had been asleep at the switch; something had to be done and quickly. 

Meeting participants discussed many aspects of the present economic meltdown both in the US, Canada and internationally.  Possible fixes for the economy were discussed including some "green" ones:

• Green energy, green jobs;
• Reduce, reuse, re-think;
• Go green, fair-trade and local;
• Community investing;
• Shareowner activism;
• Building community

There will be an announcement about the February 17 D4D meeting shortly.  Please stay posted.