This email relates to the biodiversity discussion in Parliament to be held on 16 November 2026. It was sent from Barbara Williams to Calum Miller MP on 11 November 2026. Copied in were Layla Moran and Yadvinder Malhi who led the delegation from Oxford University to the Biodiversity COP17.
Dear Calum,
I am hoping that you plan to attend the biodiversity petition debate on November 16th. Oxfordshire County Council has recently declared an Ecological Emergency. Perhaps the Liberal Democrats could suggest an emergency cross-party government with a focus on implementing Doughnut and equitable Degrowth Economics in the UK. This would set a worthy example to the rest of the world and provide a route to stabilise our democracy. The latest Democracy Report from the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg names the UK and the USA among the many democratic counties that are going through democratic backsliding or have signs of autocracy emerging.
The signs of imminent financial collapse that appeared in 2008 are very evident right now: Flashbacks. The AI bubble, crypto-bubble, bond-bubble, wealth inequality bubble, financial corruption bubble, are all overdue to go pop. The UK government would be wise to anticipate the Black Swan event rather than just allowing it to happen. One of our biggest industries is the Financial Market. There must be someone in the banking industry who will have some idea how to implement a global wealth cap. The ecological ethics of wealth inequality are explored in the book ‘Limitarianism’. The author, Ingrid Robeyns, concludes that a cap of ten million USD might be appropriate.
Our debt-based financial system is not suitable for eco-recovery. The author Jean Cristophe Duval has designed a monetary model, NEMO IMS; it can be introduced alongside the existing debt-based model. We also need a new social contract that delivers a wealth floor. The website Consilium Dignitatis has suggestions that can serve as a basis for discussions. There are plenty of constructive and well-formed ideas emerging.
It is regrettable that Oxford University is still teaching ecocidal growth economics. I also learned recently about the EXOq AI data center proposed near Oxford Parkway. I have copied in Yadvinder Malhi because he represented Oxford University at the recent Biodiversity COP17; perhaps he can explain why Oxford University perpetuates the ecocidal growth mindset when Degrowth economics is clearly a prerequisite to sustainability? I am working with Carter Dillard and others on a constitutional challenge campaign that will uncover the hypocrisy that underlies such misleading claims. They have already prepared a case against the Market Humanism economic model suggested by INET Oxford.
Warm Regards
Barbara Williams
Yew Tree Cottage, Cassington Rd, Yarnton