We are living in unprecedented times. At least three linked crises are coming together to threaten not only our accustomed standard of living and financial security, but also the resource base of the late 20th century economy and way of life, and the capacity and integrity of the earth's natural systems on which we all depend. This conjuncture of crises requires urgent and drastic action that completely restructures the way we organise to produce and distribute the things we need to have worthwhile lives This has to be done fairly and sustainably. The following outline sets out a programme of action for the Manchester-Mersey bioregion. It argues that it is the bioregional level that provides the viable basis for a sustainable economy that can deliver well being for all, despite drastically reducing energy use. But this means replacing a strategy of competition in a global economy with one based on the principle of trade subsidiarity (strategic localism) and production for need.
