POSITION AND POLICY
Vermont Happiness Index
The Environment
Our economic system, paired with population growth, results in an unsustainable demand on the natural world. The current rate of consumption surpasses the regenerative capacity of our ecosystems, which sacrifices the wellbeing of all living beings both present and future. A steady state economy would drastically reduce the immense pressure that is placed on our environment while also tackling social issues.Better(not bigger)Vermont believes that if we are to reduce gross consumption to a sustainable rate, we must also have a steady population.
Steady State Economy
Better(not bigger)Vermont recommends that policy makers at all levels of government work to carefully transition our current growth-centric economies into sustainable, steady state economies. A steady state economy can be compared to a mature and healthy forest ecosystem -- it does not grow in size, but it is a living, evolving system with a startling array of interconnected parts. Vibrant and remarkably diverse assemblages of species cooperate and compete within the forest, and there are opportunities for new species and ecosystem functions to develop over time.
US Fertility
Better(not bigger)Vermont supports universal access to free family planning education and sercices, including abortion. We believe that reducing the proportion of unplanned pregnancies (almost half of all U.S. pregnancies) and a gradual shift in cultural norms toward an average age of 25 for the birth of a first child will bring myriad societal, economic, and ecological benefits.
U.S. Migration Law
Better(not bigger)Vermont takes no positions regarding specific elements of immigration policy. However, as current U.S. migration policy preculdes a stabilized national population, Better(not bigger)Vermont petitions the U.S. Congress to include compassionate and humane stabilization of the U.S. population at the earliest possible time as a primary priority of U.S. immigration policy.
Consumption
Land Development
The purported benefits of land development, especially land development that would promote population growth, no matter what its purpose, must be seriously challenged by governmental agencies and environmental organizations.
***Better (not bigger) Vermont recognizes that all policies need to take into account systemic oppression of minorities in Vermont. We are committed to creating an inclusive, equitable, and diverse set of voices when making policy recommendations. We are committed to advocating for social justice.***