Ian McLean Spokesperson for the Green Party

If we are to survive global warming, threats to our environment, and global financial failure, we will need a more sustainable economy than what we have today. A Smart Green Economy (SGE) aims to improve the health and wellbeing of those for whom the economy exists.

A SGE works to protect the health of environmental services, such as pollination, natural management of water flows, fertile soils, and clean air. It does not assume that they will look after themselves.

A SGE puts local manufacturing and supply first. This creates and protects local employment, and minimises the costs of distribution.

A SGE has robust biosecurity processes that put local agriculture and horticulture before trade agreements.

A SGE delivers transportation systems that are powered by local and renewable energy sources (such as electricity), reduce distances travelled (for example, through compact city design), move people efficiently (for example, using light rail), do not pollute the environment, and are safe (for example, by building a properly designed cycling network).

A SGE provides jobs that benefit the community, such as insulating 230,000 houses and installation of solar energy systems.

A SGE does not expect the effects of farm intensification to be absorbed by the commons – in other words by our rivers and estuaries.

A SGE will not concentrate our resources and exporting efforts on a narrow array of products and markets, such as milk and logs to China.

A SGE will ensure that natural resources such as water are properly valued in order to promote wise use.

A SGE will minimise the use of offshore borrowings to boost the local economy, such as dangling 95 per cent mortgages in the hope of capital gains.

In simple terms, a SGE involves thinking, buying, and working local; enjoying your neighbours; joining your community; maintaining a healthy environment; and living within your means.

Ian McLean is a Greens Party spokesman. He can be contacted at: ian.mclean@greens.org.nz or by calling 021 547556, 07 5794670,