Degrowth
Degrowth is a movement that challenges our current system of growth at all costs and excessive focus on GDP, causing human exploitation and environmental destruction. Instead it emphasizes the need for rich countries to scale down their consumption and production. It advocates for a socially just and ecologically sustainable society by highlighting the importance of autonomy, care work, self-organization, commons, community, localism, work sharing, happiness and conviviality.
Video credits: TEDx Talks, published on Jun 13, 2014
Do!
After going through the ideas about circular economy, cradle to cradle and degrowth, which of them have you heard or applied in your life? Which of them is a new one for you? Do you know some other examples not mentioned here? What would you like to pick up and try in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Educate!
Organize an alternative party with friends to learn about alternative systems. Use the following questions to discuss with your friends.
Which of these ideas have you heard or applied in your life? Which of them is a new one for you? Do you have some other examples to share with your friends? Which one of them do you find the most appealing? Choose one aspect, explore it further and try to implement it together in the following month. Share your experience in the comments below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2TbrtCGbhQ
One advocate for ideas around degrowth is climate activist and author Naomi Klein with her 'Green New Deal'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ofMnYcoggo&feature=emb_title
Such ideas are thankfully well shared nowadays and inspire people to do even small things to make a change. However, it is at a bigger scale that we need to do things. Let’s start from our house and try to influence one friend at a time!
Degrowth is new to me but one thing for sure GDP is not a measure of economic growth it can only be used if the GDP trickles down to a common man
‘Degrowth’ is a new concept to me. I am glad that I know that GDP is not the best measure of progress.