ECONOMY TRANSITION

This Pandemic brings new possibilities for economic transition M ANY people don’t want to go ‘back to normal’ but want to go forward to something better. This is obvious by now. The economy crashed but what many notice is bird song, clean air, simpler patterns of life. Citizens also notice the billions of pounds the government suddenly conjured up. There’s always been plenty of money for things like healthcare, education, housing, energy transformation, it’s just that there’s been a lack of leadership, honesty and justice. Now we know addressing climate and ecological crises is possible and affordable. Might this bring new political expectations backed by a greater willingness across all parts of society to act; to hold those in power accountable or depose them? The government is acting to save business as usual, with bailouts for banks and big business. Action on the climate and ecological crisis remains in the background. We’re facing, perhaps, another Great Depression and wise government spending is the obvious remedy. Some conservatives are poised to reimpose austerity. But calls for a ‘green new deal’ and #buildbackbetter are rising and getting louder. The Totnes REconomy Project has tried to be a catalyst for fair, ecological and resilient economic transition. The importance of these goals has become crystal clear during this crisis. Maybe now there’s a chance to realise them. What might an ambitious, inspiring, transformative ‘Local New Deal’ response look like from this point of view? Economic Transition and Resilience Programme – Our economy must change to meet everyone’s needs, dramatically shrink our ecological footprint, and increase resilience. This requires more local and bioregionally appropriate methods, more local and regionally-based ownership and accountability. This programme must be ambitious – like the climate economy version of ‘the Moonshot’, perhaps. It would include: l Regional Mutual Bank Network. There are a small number of startup banks of this kind, such as the South West Mutual. These banks would be essential financial services providers to a vibrant and growing relocalised and resilient economic system. Let’s fund 100 such banks across the country. l Regional Transition Enterprise Ecosystem Fund to accelerate the development of bioregionallyappropriate economies. It could fund 10,000 co-working and incubation spaces across the country; entrepreneurial training programmes,startups and young companies, networks, ‘fab labs’, research and ‘enabler’ organisations. l Farming Regeneration Programme to increase adoption of ‘agro-ecological’ methods, producing more of our food domestically in ways that build soil, ecosystem health and food security. And attract new farmers, too. l NHS Resilient Provisioning Network would create a robust and resilient supplier ecosystem for essential goods and services for the NHS, social/ green/cooperative enterprises able to produce a range of goods and services, as well as being flexible, adaptable, mutually supportive. These practical programmes would help us meet the imperative delivered by the IPCC 1.5° report to reduce emissions 45% 2030. And they would build the foundation for long term economic resilience and prosperity. Clearly, more needs to be done - a just overhaul of the tax system, reforming the planning system, reappropriating land from aristocratic and royal families, and so on. These and other sensible proposals for economic transformation won’t become part of the national political discourse without the backing of a strong, credible movement. What we learned in the last election is that the party political system is, well, unreliable. This pandemic brings a rare opportunity. It requires citizen action and energy to grasp it. JAY TOMPT, manager of the REconomy Centre in Totnes, sets out a pathway to a new climate economy, and plots a route to a new economic transition.

Naturally nourishing OUR resident foodie, JANE HUTTON, has been quite busy over the last few weeks, while healthy food and slow cooking has been in the spotlight. Chickpea Fritters (gluten free if using GF baking powder) 2 cans of chickpeas 3-4 large carrots, grated 300g hard feta, chopped 4 eggs 40g coriander, chopped 100g rice flour 2 tsp baking powder (gluten free if desired) salt and pepper, to taste rapeseed oil Mash the chickpeas in a large bowl, adding the carrots, coriander, and feta, mixing together. Beat the eggs and add to the chickpea mixture, then stir in the flour, baking powder and salt/pepper. Mix well to combine thoroughly. Taking a large frying pan, heat approx 1 cm of rapeseed oil on a medium heat. Add the mixture in spoonfuls, as big or small as desired, and fry until golden on each side, keeping the heat medium, and not overloading the pan with too many at a time. These can be served with any number of accompaniments as a quick supper or lunch, or as snacks. Mint yogurt, raita, salads like spinach and watercress, couscous or brown rice would all complement these to make a healthy meal. H OW are you? We’re all asking this of pretty much everyone a lot more since these extraordinary times brought into focus what is really important. Isolation, social distancing, restricted movement, working from home, schooling at home, and all the juggling that this entails have made everyone more mindful. Food and health have been brought into particularly sharp focus. Raising immunity, shopping less, eating fresher while having a good store cupboard to make food go further have been priorities for many. Most importantly, not just having time to cook, but actively needing to find things to do have seen a rise in interest in cooking, baking, recipes and feeding the family. All in all, the lockdown has seen healthy food, and healthy habits, become almost the norm, and at the very least, desirable. So, how can I help tired readers to cook something that uses a healthy, cheap store cupboard ingredient easily and deliciously? This issue’s recipe is an easy, quick and healthy fritter for lunches, snacks or a starter, depending on the size you choose. The health benefits come from using just a few nutrient-dense, simple ingredients, and frying in rapeseed oil. Put together, they produce a wide range of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients. Chickpeas are a source of protein as well as complex carbs in equal ratios, with a good balance of fatty acids. and high levels of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, biotin, folate, K and E. Bursting with minerals too, they contain high levels of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, selenium and molybdenum. Chickpeas are also fantastic sources of phytooestrogenic compounds (natural plant oestrogens, helping to balance hormones in anyone experiencing conditions related to hormonal imbalances. Some tend to avoid pulses and beans because they wreak havoc with their digestion - don’t panic though, this is usually an indication of gut inflammation or lack of digestive enzymes, particularly.one called gluco-amylase. Taking an all-round digestive enzyme tablet before meals generally, but especially when eating problem foods, should alleviate issues, and allow for better nutrient absorption generally. That has to be good! Adding feta, fresh coriander and carrots fill in the gaps, adding vitamins A, B12, and C, plus manganese, calcium and omega 3 fats. Buying an authentic feta (not made form cow’s milk) helps anyone trying to avoid cow’s dairy products, like eczema and asthma sufferers.) All together these little golden nuggets of goodness pack a hefty health punch, looking after your immunity, heart, circulation, skin, hormones, and more. So, time to fritter. Stay well! Healthy cooking is the new normal A chickpea in the wild

Naturally Nourishing is written by nutritionist and “confirmed foodie” Jane Hutton. Visit her website, www.functionalfoodie.com, and sign up for programmes, recipes and advice.