Forum for sustainable economics in Israel

The Sustainable Economics Forum was established by Hagai Kott, a Heschel Environmental Fellow (Year 6), and was selected for nurturing and assistance through the Heschel Center's Environmental Leadership Action Network (ELAN). [1]
The aim of the forum is to develop this groundbreaking area of study in an Israeli context, where it is virtually unknown. "Ecological economics" is a new school of thought which raises serious questions challenging the basic assumptions of the dominant economic thinking. It points out a fundamental flaw in the view of the economy as a closed complete system with a sub-set called "environment." Ecological economists argue that in reality the opposite is true: the economy is a sub-set within a larger system – the entire planet. The conclusion is that the scope of economic activity is limited by constraints set by the planet itself, and the big question they raise is: what is the proper scale for the economy in relation to Planet Earth?

The Forum meets regularly to study the theory of ecological economics, translating and adapting it for Israel.  The inaugural course for Sustainable Economics conducted by the forum was highly successful. The course graduates formed three working groups to advance the ecological economy in Israel in three domains: economy, education, and planning.

The ELAN project was made possible through the generous support of the The Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund. [2]