Dear Friend, 

Since we last touched base, a lot has transpired to discourage a steady stater. Record-breaking heatwaves in Europe. Floods in the U.S., Pakistan, and Nigeria. And, of course, the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

We should indeed be very concerned about the BBB. The budget-busting package rolls back renewable energy, undermines environmental justice, and promotes fossil fuels.

But the BBB is not a death knell for the steady-state movement. It’s a rallying cry!

It makes us even more determined to develop the Steady State Economy Act. We published two new feeder bills this quarter, with senior economist Dave Shreve kicking them off in the Steady State Herald.

And with the federal government embracing reckless growth, local action is more important than ever. We're placing renewed emphasis on the Keep Our Counties Great (KOCG) campaign, led by Dave Rollo. Our new program manager, Amelia Jaycen, is breathing new life into the program, contributing content at the Herald and tracking down funding to keep our counties great.

This is not all about CASSE staff, though. We need you to breathe life into a local movement, too! Here are some concrete actions for making a meaningful difference:

1. Meet with your county officials to express your concerns about rampant growth and development. Ask them to incorporate a steady-state goal into the county's next comprehensive plan. Reach out to [email protected] for guidance.

2. If you are already a local leader engaged in county politics, please serve as a KOCG point of contact. We can help support your efforts toward a steady-state compre-hensive plan.

3. Get involved with a CASSE chapter by reaching out to the nearest chapter director. Or, start your own! 

Sincerely,

Technocene Ground Zero: Counties Face Off with Data Centers by Amelia Jaycen

In the Poconos, They’re Keeping Carbon County Great by Dave Rollo

Influenced to Overconsume: How Social Media Hijacks Sustainability by Priya Thompson

Blog articles never die. Feel free to comment on these or any other Steady State Herald articles. 

Amelia Jaycen is CASSE's new program manager, working to advance initiatives across the organization with cross-team collaboration and project management skills. Her experience ranges from multimedia reporting on international science projects to managing large environmental tech-nology projects. She has worked in the lab and in the field alongside scientists and engineers across a wide variety of disciplines. 

CASSE's Colorado River Chapter Director, Gary Wockner, was featured in the GrowthBusters podcast. In the episode, titled "Growth Addiction and Water in the American Southwest," GrowthBusters' Dave and Stephanie Gardner pick Wockner's brain about the best path forward for environmental activism. Wockner shares how he uses "robot environmentalism" to stay happy while fighting an uphill battle against growth interests.

Learn more about CASSE's chapters.

Shreve (center) with Wallace family members Scott Fitzmorris (left) and Scott Wallace (right).

CASSE Senior Economist Dave Shreve attended the Institute for Policy Studies' 2nd Annual Henry A. Wallace Symposium. The event's theme was "Bold Ideas For A New Progres-sive Majority." Shreve dis-cussed CASSE's mission with like-minded participants from many organizations, including the Wallace Global Fund, Wellbeing Economy Alliance, Hoosier Action, and Public Citizen.

The Christopher Reynolds Foundation (CRF) awarded CASSE a $2,000 grant for our Keep Our Counties Great work.

CRF was established in 1952 by New York torch and blues singer Libby Holman Reynolds following the tragic death of her son, Christopher. CRF is currently supporting work relating to climate justice; climate resilience and adaptation; and ecosystem health and integrity in the face of unraveling global systems. This includes local and bioregional efforts.

Soti and her daughter, Josie, at the 2024 swim run.

On August 9, Jen Soti will embark on a challenging swim-run fundraiser in honor of her father. Jim Keeling Jr. was a lawyer, racetrack manager, and environmental advocate. Keeling asked hard questions about the world we’re leaving to our children. For Soti, the journey is personal: She'll be swimming in the same waters where Keeling tragically drowned in 1996.

Inspired by steady-state thinkers like Brian Czech, Soti is using the swim run to spark curiosity about the problems associated with economic growth. Proceeds will go to Ecojustice and CASSE, which promote Keeling's values.

August is Make-A-Will Month—a powerful remin-der to pause, reflect, and talk with your family about the future. Creating a will can be an act of care and legacy to ensure a healthy planet for future genera-tions. We will be offering resources in August to help you create or update a will. 

Contact [email protected] to learn more about how to support CASSE’s critical work by making a bequest.

The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) featured CASSE Managing Editor Alix Underwood in their weekly "SEJSpotlight." They shared a bit about Underwood and her work with SEJ members and via social media. This included a "Bluesky takeover" at @sejorg.bsky.social. SEJ's spotlight has led to several new connections.

On July 30, the Canadian Association for the Club of Rome (CACOR) hosted CASSE Executive Director Brian Czech and Senior Economist David Shreve for a presentation. They discussed "The DOGE Antidote: Sustainable Budgets and Taxes, Steady-State Style." Watch the recording and read Shreve and Czech's Steady State Herald articles introducing the Steady State Economy Act's feeder bills.

Barbara J. Robles made a generous donation to CASSE's Keep Our Counties Great campaign. Dr. Robles is a retired principal economist who served on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. She has also worked as a professor and a revenue estimator.

"CASSE is the solution and remedy to our current turbulent transition and especially foundational for the future well-being of the next generation. Your group is essential....so THANK YOU!"

Barbara J. Robles, Ph.D., CASSE Advisor

The Post-Growth Australia Podcast (PGAP) hosted Michael D.B. Harvey to discuss his book, The Age of Humachines, published by CASSE's Steady State Press. In the episode, titled "Techno Dystopia and the Age of Humachines," Harvey lays out a vision for a transition toward an "Ecocene"—as opposed to a "Technocene"—future.

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