Degrowth

Decades of material growth have left us with a limited imagination for alternatives. Now that we’ve hit the point of diminishing returns for additional economic growth, can we decolonize our mind? In the developed world, is it possible to improve our quality of life while decreasing our standard of living? Could it be possible to degrow our economies in a way that creates a happier and healthier society while creating a true alternative for the undeveloped world?

In this epic length episode #55 of The Extraenvironmentalist we cover the Montreal Degrowth Conference from May 2013. We hear from a number of degrowth academics and activists about the ideas in the movement. Through more than twelve interviews we speak with Peter Brown, Michael M’Gonigle, Josh Farley, David Suzuki, Bill Rees, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Janice Harvey, Charles Hall, Gail Tverberg, Juliet Schor, Joan Martinez-Alier and Erik Assadourian. Then, we recap 2012 by hearing from Gregor MacDonald about the IEA’s headline grabbing scenario for a United States that produces more oil than Saudi Arabia and Jeremy Grantham’s recent eyebrow raising report on resource scarcity. We close out with a preview of our 2013 interviews.