Structural neglect of environmental governance undermines intergenerational equity
Original framing: “A real ‘intergenerational equity’ budget would address our unceasing environmental decline” — The Conversation - Global
Cross-culturally, many societies have embedded environmental stewardship into their governance systems. For example, the Māori concept of kaitiakitanga emphasizes guardianship of the environment for future generations, offering a systemic alternative to the extractive logic of Western budgeting.
The current discourse on intergenerational equity is constrained by a narrow focus on fiscal fairness while ignoring the deeper structural causes of environmental decline.
By integrating Indigenous land management practices, long-term ecological modeling, and youth-led governance, we can reframe budgeting as a tool for environmental justice. Historical precedents such as New Zealand’s Wellbeing Budget and the Haudenosaunee’s seven-generation planning model demonstrate that systemic change is possible when ecological and intergenerational accountability are prioritized. The trickster’s role here is to expose the absurdity of calling a budget 'intergenerational' when it perpetuates environmental harm. Only by confronting the power dynamics that shape fiscal policy—particularly the influence of corporate lobbies—can we move toward a truly equitable and sustainable future.