Abstract

In view of socio-ecological crisis phenomena, such as climate change, global financial crisis and energy crisis “Green Economy” was declared to be a key issue at the Rio+20 conference 2012 in Rio de Janeiro. However, the current discussions on Green Economy are mainly limited on the renovation and expansion of environment related industries, technological innovation and greener growth. In prevailing concepts the shift of problems or risks due to technologies (like fracking) remains unconsidered, but also excludes the topic of rebound effects. In addition, discussions on Green Economy are largely gender-blind. Neither the ongoing separation of economic thought in production versus reproduction and existing gender systems nor unlimited economic growth are being questioned. A sustainable economy requires more than just a greening of economy. It needs a fundamental and structural economic and political transformation including the redistribution of work, finances and resources. We consider the crisis of the social and environmental reproduction as a starting point to link Gender, Care and Green Economy, because care work, as well as the ecological reproduction of nature, are hidden in the current economic system and recognized as infinite and available resources in economic processes. To allow a good life for the present as well as for future generations we need a holistic understanding of economics, which gives priority to human needs. In the present paper, such a more comprehensive understanding is developed and formulated, based on the criticism of current concepts of Green Economy and the importance of Care and Gender for a Sustainable Economy. In addition to the German version (CaGE Texts 1/2014), the English edition 14 contains the most relevant recommendations out of CaGE Texts 3/2014.

Autor*innen

Gottschlich, Daniela; Roth, Stephanie; Röhr, Ulrike; Hackfort, Sarah K. et al.