How tax can save the world | Femke Groothuis | TEDxUtrecht

One of the main challenges of our time is to build prosperity, while keeping intact the natural resources we depend upon. ‘Wavemaker’ Femke Groothuis explains that our tax system holds the key to an inclusive and circular economy. A smart tax shift from labour to resource use enables growth based on the abundantly available capacities and ingenuity of people, rather than the extraction of resources from nature.
Femke Groothuis is a wavemaker. A political scientist specialised in International Relations and Environment. She’s Director of The Ex’tax Project, a think-tank on the tax system of the 21st century. And believe it or not, she will make you see the beauty of tax.
‘Our tax system holds the key to an inclusive and circular economy. A smart tax shift from labour to resource use enables growth based on the abundantly available capacities and ingenuity of people, rather than the extraction of resources from nature.’
Believe it or not, she will make you see the beauty of tax.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@myxsys]

This is a brilliant concept. The title of this video should be renamed to avoid confusion and attract more views. It seems some people are leaving negative comments without watching the video.

[@HansLak]

Sounds like a no brainer to me to transform to a circular economy!

[@augustineconnor1784]

InstaBlaster.

[@mateuszp.6109]

It all sounds wonderful in theory but I can't stop to wonder - what does it exactly mean to "tax resources"? Does she mean indirect taxes like VAT? Or some specific mining/industry taxes? These are all already present in most countries. I many they even provide most budget income for states, more than traditional PIT (e.g. in EU). Did it really change anything so far...?

[@anuraagpillai9084]

I suppose she means to increase those taxes and get rid of any income/employment tax. People that consume less will pay less and people that consume more will pay more.

[@waynet8953]

It's too innovative for politicians to implement.

[@FatFilipinoUK]

I think this shift in taxes is inevitable as the waste piles up and resources become more scarce in the future. Capitalism in its current form is unsustainable in the long run and will lead to the collapse of modern civilization if it doesn't change.

[@gajuradof1]

jajaja! teoría muy inocente! creer que por unos cambios al sistema de impuestos los empresarios van a cambiar! jajaja

[@bretcaron]

More taxation =/= porsperity

[@KillswitchLtd1]

If you would have listened, you might have realized that this was not about more taxes, but switching what we tax more heavily in our society

[@bretcaron]

@@KillswitchLtd1 Tax more heavily = more taxes.

[@sandrakarwel]

Why do we always have nitwits for women speakers on Ted Talks?