Lorraine Jones

I work for the Methodist Church as a children, youth and family worker and a local pastor. I also co-ordinate the York Methodist Group Eco Task Force where we share ideas and encourage each other to become sustainable communities. I was an accountant in a former life and have a degree in Economics. Growing up at the time of the 'ozone layer crisis' and the start of the increased public awareness of climate change, I was fascinated by 'externalities' and how our current system was failing our natural world. Studying Economics left me with more questions than answers. In the last few years, my role as pastor has left me frustrated as I have helped 'pull people out of the river' so I started following the trail of breadcrumbs upstream to see why people fall into the river in the first place. The need for constant growth does have a trickle down effect, but not in wealth - in pressure and stress - to perform and deliver at any cost. It has left us all exhausted, poorer and unhappier than ever. There has to be a better way. Kate Raworth's book was a lightbulb moment.