The Progress Motive

If you've ever been on a swing, or triggered a deafening squeal from a speaker by putting it too close to the microphone, then you've witnessed a feedback loop in action. Here's what feedback loops are and why they are vital for understanding sustainability, the economy, and society. Read more

Economics must change to serve both people and planet, says Doughnut Economics. Here are seven principles from the book, three lessons I took from it and three questions. Read more

Your "fair share" of carbon emissions is just 1.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. A single flight can use up that allowance, and average UK emissions per person are ten times higher than that. Read more

Coral reefs could disappear by the end of the century, warns broadcaster David Attenborough. However, it might not be too late to save them. Some scientists are exploring ways to regrow damaged coral reefs. Read more

Pet food can damage the planet. One company hopes to change that by growing meat in the laboratory. Read more

Why can it be profitable to do things that harm others? The concept of negative externalities provides part of the answer. Read more

The profit motive makes businesses do useful things and sends resources to where they can be most valuable. It's supposed to make society better off overall, but it doesn't do this perfectly. Read more

We can solve climate change in the next 30 years, according to Project Drawdown. Discover some of the businesses and charities tackling the top solutions, from food waste to reforestation. Read more

Hello!  I’m Helen Breewood, this blog is The Progress Motive and I’ll be writing about how we can make the world better for everyone. Follow The Progress Motive to explore the causes of global problems and discover the people, ideas and technologies that are creating solutions. Read more