Scientists' Warning on Money

Abstract

We—scientists, economists, philosophers, and policy specialists—shift from warning to action. Humanity is in ecological overshoot, consuming resources and generating waste beyond Earth’s regenerative capacity. We have failed to meet the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and civilization stands at a crossroads. A different path remains possible, but it requires transforming the money–economics complex that shapes modern life. Drawing on historical analysis, we call for a move away from mainstream neoclassical economics toward locally rooted, community-based approaches. Building resilience demands money plurality: diverse, interlocking systems such as commoning, Universal Basic Income (UBI), Universal Basic Guarantee (UBG), community currencies, barter networks, and local economic loops. These mechanisms can substitute for or evolve beyond dominant monetary structures, fostering virtuous cycles aligned with planetary boundaries. We urge investment in innovative monetary practices that uphold both ecological balance and a dignified social foundation. Ethical, community-based currencies can function as communication media that embed social, cultural, and environmental values in economic exchange. Advancing from financial literacy to financial capability will enable societies to create regenerative economies grounded in ecological wisdom, repairing past harms while strengthening resilience for the future.