What is Degrowth?

IT, business

 

 

What is Degrowth?

 

 

Degrowth is a term that refers to a deliberate reduction of economic activity and consumption to achieve social and ecological goals. Degrowth advocates argue that infinite growth is impossible on a finite planet and that the current economic growth model is unsustainable, unjust, and harmful to humans and nature. Degrowth proposes a radical transformation of society based on values such as sufficiency, solidarity, democracy, and well-being. Some of the possible policies and practices of degrowth include:
Reducing working hours and sharing work among more people to improve quality of life and reduce environmental impact.
Promoting local and circular economies that minimize waste, reuse resources, and foster community resilience.
Expanding public services and commons that provide free or low-cost access to basic needs such as health, education, housing, and transport.
Supporting care work and other forms of non-monetized and non-commodified labour that contribute to social reproduction and human development.
Challenging consumerism and materialism and cultivating alternative ways of living that are more simple, frugal, and mindful.
Degrowth is not a fixed blueprint but a diverse and evolving movement that draws on insights from various disciplines and traditions. You can learn more about degrowth from the web page context in the Edge browser or from the web search results in tool_invocations.
 
//Source(s)//
1. Degrowth - Wikipedia 
2. Degrowth: what's behind this economic theory and why it matters today
3. Degrowth can work — here's how science can help - Nature
4. How We End Consumerism
 
5. The true meaning of degrowth is... "Capital" in the Anthropocene, Kohei Saito (December 16, 2021) 
 
 
 
//Checking topics//
 
1. What are your thoughts on the concept of degrowth?
2. Do you think degrowth is a feasible solution for our society's problems?
3. How do you think degrowth can impact our daily lives?
 
//Vocabulary//
 
Degrouth
Sustainable
Consumption
Production
Well-being
Society
Feasible
 
//Questions//
 

Q1. Have you ever consciously tried to reduce your consumption of goods and services? If so, how did it affect your life?

->
If I want to buy a new coat or bag, I throw away the old ones I don't wear.
In other words, you don't need 5 or 10 coats or bags at once.

 
Q2. Do you think a society focused on degrowth can still provide a high standard of living? Why or why not?

->
If you're watching TV and seeing a lovely commercial, you might want healthy food or a new cosmetic product you didn't like.

No matter how good degrowth is, our brains are wired to believe that growing up, making money, and living a good life are good things.

Once surrounded by enough things to live on and money to buy them, we need to focus on satisfying our feelings and fulfilling our lives.

 
Q3. What are some challenges we might face when transitioning to a degrowth-oriented society?

->
I think it will be difficult to change our beliefs.
And that's a winning theory.
Degrowth is possible for wealthy people and wealthy countries.
However, poor people and poor countries need growth.

Also, maybe wealthy people can't let go of their gorgeous lives.
Even if it won't make you happy, letting go of money and growth will be challenging.

 
Q4. Do you believe that technological advancements can contribute to achieving degrowth? How?
 
->
Advances in technology will allow us to perform simple tasks that we do manually.
Also, AI and AGI will support artistic work other than blue work.

We will be able to do many tasks easily with new technology.
We must find and do some important work that only humans can do.

Q5. In your opinion, what role should governments and businesses play in promoting degrowth? How can individuals contribute?

->
Governments and companies can do things such as banning 24-hour operations, stopping business on Sundays, implementing three-day holidays a week, and making shortened business hours and work-sharing commonplace.

On the other hand, we also need to secure energy, reform agriculture and fisheries, support local markets, businesses and universities, and support the operation of zoos and cultural facilities.

Individuals can make or repair things they need by themselves, value time and experiences with family and friends, and concentrate on deepening understanding and knowledge not about money.