Labour and Value: Addressing 21st Century Existential Challenges offers a sweeping re‑evaluation of how modern societies define and distribute value in an era shaped by automation, climate change, and global inequality. Ivan A. Salazar examines the limitations of traditional economic paradigms and argues for a broader understanding of labour—one that includes ecological stewardship, social reproduction, cultural creation, and the ethical dimensions of human activity. The book traces the evolution of value theory, critiques current models, and proposes new ways of internalizing environmental and social costs. Salazar explores how technology and globalization reshape work and solidarity, and he presents emerging frameworks such as Doughnut Economics, Gross National Happiness, and Job Quality Indices as viable alternatives to GDP‑centred thinking. Through discussions of decolonial and Indigenous economies, feminist political economy, youth education, and the future of work, the book highlights how value systems must adapt to existential challenges. It also offers a philosophical reflection on efficiency, contrasting alienating production models with approaches that elevate human creativity and problem‑solving. Grounded in rigorous analysis and informed by case studies of political and institutional disruption, Labour and Value presents a compelling vision for democratic planning, ethical governance, and post‑capitalist futures. It is a vital contribution for readers seeking to understand how value can be reimagined to support human dignity, ecological resilience, and collective well‑being.