“The economy means far more than the obvious realm of market place exchange. Every activity or relationship that has value in either use or exchange is a part of the economy—whether or not money is involved. Thus a parent raising a child is engaged in an economic activity as surely as a professional “child care provided,” or someone working in a factory or office. By the same token, trees are engaged in economy activity when they produce oxygen and pulp. (If anyone doubts this, they should try maintaining an economy without parents or oxygen.) That parents and trees do not charge for their services does not make them any less valuable. It means only that their contributions are likely to be taken for granted”.
By Jason Venetoulis and Cliff Cobb
Sustainability Indicators Program
March 2004