Despite its obvious contradiction, we assume infinite material growth on a finite planet.
For the past three decades, this belief that wellbeing should take preference over material growth has remained a global oddity.
This shift in focus from material growth to equality and wellbeing goes to the heart of the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Steady exponential material growth with no limits on resource consumption and population is the dominant conceptual model used by today's decision makers.
Hence, claims that China is suffering jobless economic growth.Third, the Communist Party has failed to carry out its policy of material growth with spiritual and moral civilisation.
With governments, in Europe at least, focused on 'muddling-through,' any policy response is likely to avoid downside risks, rather than generate material growth".
Let's hope that this renewed focus on the primary importance of psychological health and social wellbeing will shift the trajectory of our economies towards greater prosperity and wealth beyond material growth.
Read more stories like this: Six strategies for creating system change for a sustainable future Happiness and wellbeing trump material growth Challenging the old narrative that possessions equal prosperity Join the community of sustainability professionals and experts.
She is president of Natural Capitalism Solutions Read more stories like this: Six strategies for creating system change for a sustainable future Happiness and wellbeing trump material growth Join the community of sustainability professionals and experts.
"This sale of an asset operated from a minority position will allow us to focus our resources on the material growth opportunities in Total's portfolio," Yves-Louis Darricarrère, Total's president of upstream operations, said in a statement.
Maria Sultan suggested that this is not the consensus view, however, and that at least some part of the Pakistani military establishment believes it better to agree to an FMCT now since India has a much greater long-term fissile material growth potential than Pakistan.
