20th November 2021

E.F Schumacher was a philosopher and economist whose book ‘Small is Beautiful: economics as if people mattered’ was a popular read in the 1970s. His vision was able to become a reality in the shape of ‘Practical Action’. This charity provides practical (and often therefore small scale and local) projects that enable and support small communities across the globe to raise their living standards. Recently Schumacher daughter was asked in an interview what her father’s views would have been in response to the crises we face as a world today. Towards the end she says, “Fritz was often asked what people should do as individuals to support positive change. He recognised that people can feel helpless in the face of such huge challenges and can feel that their own small actions aren’t worthwhile.
His advice was always that we should support the organisations that are taking the right actions. That we should educate ourselves about the issues and share our knowledge with others. And that we should make small, positive changes in our own lives, which right now might mean reducing our carbon footprint or using less water.”