To survive as a species we all need to live sustainably. But the path to sustainability runs into conflict with economic imperatives that dominate our society. Initiatives have been too slow and small.

The reasons indicate a bold idea: building a world that will successfully enable, embody and reproduce fairness, equity and sustainability will require money-free social relations.

This site is dedicated to that idea. Our vision is of a ‘compact society’ – a ‘compact’ is an agreement and means small and efficient. In a compact society everyday practices will be modest and effective, such as minimising resource and energy use.

Collective networks will enable us to act together. But becoming really sustainable creatures is impossible under current forms of governance and if we keep using money and prices to produce and exchange.

The idea is that networks of compacts, agreements between people – a ‘compact movement’ – will form the basis of ‘compact communities’ and a planetary ‘compact society’ that respects environmental sustainability and forms a dynamic path to rational, humane and sustainable livelihoods.

Many people already have relationships and practices consistent with a vision of compact communities (see References/Links). Generalising these values and formalising them in compacts will create an alternative form of governance.

Many philosophies today give priority to equity and fairness between people, along with living in modest and sustainable ways, respecting nature. Such principles and values have been expressed in the writings and actions of many humanist and other enabling movements (references).

The site contains a summary — What to do — and discusses:

• the current state of the environment — why we have to move fast to change our ways;

• governance (politics);

• how we can create networks based on compacts;

• money and prices (explaining why we cannot achieve sustainability using current economic and capitalist practices).

There is a brief list of references along with links to relevant associations, to enable you to join with like-minded people, become active and share information too.

If you have any comments or questions, send them to: compact@aapt.net.au