Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is widely considered an appropriate measurement of economic prosperity. But GDP rises even when increased production results in bad things, like crime, pollution, nuclear waste and toxins. Is there a better measure?

Called the Genuine Progress Index, the GPI is an index for Sustainable Prosperity and considers Economic Indicators, Environmental Indicators (cost of pollution to water, air, noise, changes to wetlands, farmlands, forest cover, climate, ozone and non-renewable energy) and Social Indicators such as the value of housework, volunteer work, higher education, etc.

IPS Fellow Daphne Wysham and economist Dr. John Talberth, president of the Center for A Sustainable Economy, will explore the usage of the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) for Howard County, Maryland residents and discuss how it could better be utilized by people interested in incorporating it into the work of the Transition Towns movement in Howard County.