A new resolution

With the 12 days of Christmas nearly up, people will be preparing to pull down their trees, some of which (real and artificial) are destined for the landfill. It's been a few days since the wrapping paper was stuffed into the dustbin and cards will follow. The energy-sapping lights will be put away and drawers set aside for unwanted presents replenished.

If Christmas is not a good metaphor for the predicament we find ourselves in, it's hard to see what is. We are using up the world's resources at an alarming rate, yet Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen is urging us to spend, spend, spend (acquire, acquire, acquire) and Beijing is busting a gut to keep GDP growth high. We're heading for a huge fall unless we start thinking outside the box - and what better time to do so than now, when we're already watching the pennies?

Recently, the Archbishop of Canterbury chastised Britain's prime minister for being like 'an addict returning to the drug' for telling the public to spend their way through the financial crisis. Well said! It is time to accept that constant expansion should not be the prime determinant of success for economies and businesses and the continual accrual of material wealth should not define a person as one of life's winners - and not sending cards or buying presents for all and sundry at Christmas does not mean you are a Scrooge.

Here's wishing you all a Happy (but not overly prosperous) New Year.