There often appear to be conflicts between a thriving economy as measured by GDP and tackling climate change. Happiness measures and GDP have been shown not to be aligned and research tells us that as GDP per head has grown happiness has fallen. Decarbonise Letchworth are interested in exploring if different employment opportunities could lead to just as vibrant a town but with happier residents. For example:
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Could co-operative shops be introduced into the town, spreading the risk of a new enterprise, but widening the number of people working for its success?
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Could new models of job sharing be explored by some of our larger employers to see if this improves the quality of life.
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Are there cottage industries that could be set up to bring individuality to our town?
In 2017 Transition Town Letchworth undertook a project to consider what actions could be taken that might help to ensure that Letchworth’s town centre is resilient and thriving, their findings are documented in the attached report.
