A new book from Flux about a unique sociopolitical experiment is going green with Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris is collaborating with Flux (http://www.flux.no), the Norwegian publishing house, to plant trees for the books they publish. We love Flux not only because of their commitment to the environment, but also because this is one of the publishers that succeed to surprise you every time with a new, unique and interesting book.

Today we're happy to update you on a new book published by Flux that we're working on with them to plant 1,000 trees for the printed copies. The book, presenting an unusual sociopolitical experiment that is taking place in Norway (with lessons to many other societies), is entitled "100-årsmålene", or in English: "The 100-years' Targets".

Here are some more details about the book:

A remarkable sociopolitical experiment is taking place in Norway. A group of concerned citizens has formed “100-årsmålene” (literally “the 100-years’ targets”) and engaged a number of institutions and organizations as well as school children, politicians and others to think through what kind of society we want to have 100 years into the future. Not as a prophecy, but minted out as what we actually want to see achieved. What kind of society do we need and want? What do we aim for, collectively and individually? The initiative is, in other words, a strong invitation to start thinking proactively instead of reactively, which is what we seem to do most of the time. Taking this imaginary jump into a future 100 years ahead of today frees our imagination from the quagmire of contemporary social and political practice and hang-ups.

A lot of enthusiasm and a number of inspired ideas for the next society – “the next generation democracy”, as it is labeled – was raised, and the need for overarching visions was quickly taken up by the public involved, while politicians, not surprisingly, are more reluctant. Initially the group’s aim was to influence the political parties prior to the general elections to be held in Norway in September 2009, but so far it has been a challenge to mount a significant and visible impact among leading politicians and to some extent leading media. Leaders in this respect seem to be a breed rather deeply immersed in day to day conflict and chatter, no matter where it may lead. A number of interesting results, however, have emerged from the polls and workshops throughout the country, showing that seeds can be sown for a different future and a sound democracy.

Here are some of the results:

94 % think that politicians should get together and start solving the big challenges, rather than spend their time and energies fighting each other.

80 % wish to go for a stable and reliable zero waste economy (with recirculation and renewable energy.

66 % would support a long-term non-fractional leadership (although only 16 % deem it realistic).

65 % wish for a doubling of quality of life (rather than increased traditional standard of living).

There is also a generally strong consensus that we will be able to find ways and means to accomplish such goals.

More posts related to Flux:

The 5th Step

The Norwegian translation of "The Integral Vision" by Ken Wilber

Dyp glede (Deep Joy): Arne Næss on deep ecology

Summer Reading with Christian Valentiner of Flux

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: promoting green printing