World renowned author will discuss sustainable economics in Oxnard

So what does an internationally recognized economist and author believe the future holds? David Korten, person behind The Great Turning and When Corporations Rule the World, believes that if we don’t change our thinking and our behavior in a radical way, the future will not be kind to people around the globe. If nothing changes and we continue to use up the earth’s natural resources at the same pace as we currently are using them, Korten believes we are heading toward extinction.

That’s why Korten is coming to Oxnard: to discuss the movement to create a just and sustainable green economy with more than 300 guests coming from Ventura, San Diego and Los Angeles counties. The Coastal Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), based in Ventura, is hosting a luncheon featuring the renowned speaker. The event will be on Friday, Sep. 12, at the Mandalay Beach Resort at Embassy Suites Oxnard.

“CAUSE recognizes that economic justice and environmental sustainability are inseparable and exemplifies the multicultural leadership essential to our nation’s future,” Korten said. “It is at the forefront of the essential work of our time, growing strong families and multicultural communities with strong local green economies. I am truly honored by their invitation to keynote this important community event.”

Korten said in his prolific writings and Web sites essentially that the ascendancy of the corporate entity has eclipsed society’s ability to sustain a middle class. Additionally, Korten said that the consumer has wasted and exploited so much of the world that society will not have all of the natural resources necessary to support a middle class. Now is the time to decide to change behaviors and to acknowledge the scarcity of resources. He also said this is an inevitable truth, and society will suffer great losses if it continues down the same road it has been traveling for a long time.

“The United States is moving into a perfect economic storm born of a convergence of peak oil, climate chaos, and a collapsing U.S. dollar,” he said. “The future lies with communities that act now to rebuild their local economies based on local independent businesses with a priority commitment to achieving substantial local self-reliance in food and energy.”

CAUSE is a nonprofit community planning and research center serving Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The emphasis on a sustainable economy that is just, prosperous and environmentally healthy explains the common bonds it has with Korten.

“David’s message is very compelling,” said Carole Power, CAUSE’s fund development director.

Nationally renowned economist and author Dr. Manuel Pastor will be the luncheon’s master of ceremonies. Pastor is the Director of the University of California Program for Environmental and Regional Equity. He was the founding director of the Center for Justice, Tolerance and Community at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

CAUSE, the sponsor and organizer of the luncheon, promotes and researches issues that are aimed at the local community’s most pressing needs. It has played leadership roles in campaigns that are “based on the premise that economic development should pursue the goals of shared prosperity and community and environmental well-being,” according to its Web site coastalalliance.com.

Local cities are also climbing onboard the environmental express. Special Assistant to the City of Ventura Kelly Flanders said there are several programs at City Hall that are aimed at conserving natural resources.

“For sustainability, we try and encourage all of our employees and any of the actions the city does to be environmentally sound,” Flanders said.

“We actually have a Green Initiative that was passed by city council back in November of 2007,” Flanders said. “It has 10 different action items we’re working on, including measuring our carbon footprints and taking inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions.”

Flanders said city workers have made a number of small changes that could make a large difference. “For us, it means a variety of things, whether it is using 100 percent post-recycled paper, reducing our fuel use, making sure that all our vehicles are compact and run on alternative fuels, saving on our energy, and making sure that all of our green purchasing practices are environmentally friendly,” Flanders said.

The community-building luncheon will have an hour of networking before the beginning of the event. The luncheon at the Mandalay Beach Resort begins at 11:30a.m. Although tickets are sold out, Power said people can show up and try to grab a seat.