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K-12 Steady State Economics

Why K-12 education?

The Transition to a Sustainable Economy

In the last 10,000 years, humans have experienced rapid economic growth and technological progress. In the 21st century we will have to balance economic activity and ecological regeneration. This means that democracies will have to determine the optimal size for the economy, the size that balances economic benefits with sustainability and the benefits to society from ecosystems. This will require educated citizens, economists, consumers, and businesspeople. To this end, CASSE is developing a Steady State Economy K-12 curriculum in collaboration with schools in Northern Virginia and the greater D.C. area.

At this website, you will find many of the preliminary resources we have developed for teaching steady state economics in K-12 classrooms. Our curricula can be adapted to many particular classroom settings. We have worked with teachers to develop projects for natural science and social science settings. Make sure to contact us, if you would like to learn more.

Curriculum for ages 7-10

Our 3-5 curriculum focuses on developing a basic understanding of economic activity, economic growth, and balance between the human economy and nature’s economy.

Curriculum for ages 10-14

Behind every economic transaction is a transformation of matter and energy, of which the ultimate source is the sun. From this perspective, managing economic activity depends on managing stocks and flows of energy and matter.

Curriculum for ages 14-18

The greatest task for democracy in the 21st century is to figure out the ‘right size’ for the economy. Sustainable scale refers to a size in which respects the rights of future generations. Optimal scale takes into account the benefits we get from nature which we do not account for in market transactions.

Educators Forum

At our Educator’s forum, we discuss the successes and challenges of teaching steady state economics. If you have suggestions or questions, please visit our forum and/ or contact us.

ECONOMICS

Steady state economics is based on macroeconomics. Currently we have many macroeconomic instruments set according to goal of a growth-based economy. We regulate the amount of money which is in the economy with our fiscal policy, our monetary policy, and banking reserve requirements according to a vision of perpetual growth. A steady state economy will require policies that focus on stabilizing economic activity rather than perpetually increasing it.

This implies a new responsibility for citizens. Based on an understanding of ecological services and ecological constraints, citizens will be required to determine the right size of the economy.

In addition, this implies a change within microeconomics. While we will still see growth and decline in firms, the pace will be slowed, and efficient economic activity will account for the benefits we receive from nature. Many policy tools can be used to incentivize economic activity which makes efficient use of our resources.

ECOLOGY

Steady State economics is based on several basic principles from the natural sciences. Just as energy flows through the trophic structure in nature, we can also trace energy flow through the economy.

The economy depends on ecosystem stocks and flows such as water, energy, rare earth metals, and timber. Ecosystem stocks such as water and timber, are used up and can only be partially recycled. The economy also depends on ecological funds and services such as climate regulation and water filtration. These types of ecological properties are seemingly immaterial, and yet they depend on essential material inputs and have important material consequences. Lastly, the economy depends on ecosystem sinks. All economic activity produces waste and thus on the ecosystem’s finite capacity to absorb waste.

Steady state economists learn to understand ecosystem science and trade the interaction between economies and ecosystems.