NO
It creates a vigorous debate within the climate movement: the question of whether global warming can still be slowed while maintaining the current growth-focused economic model? No, says the degrowth movement. The rich West must give up part of its wealth and consume much less. Or is it the other way around: should we generate more wealth through strong economic growth in order to go green faster?
It all began in 1972 when the Club of Rome, a group of scientists, published the report Limits to Growth. He outlined gloomy scenarios about the future of the earth: even in the most optimistic scenarios, strong population growth, industrial production and environmental pollution would have brought down the system.
That message still rings true, even if the main challenge now is tackling climate change, unknown at the time. The message that we must live within planetary boundaries is now being interpreted by the outgrowths, ie decreasing.
Less consumption
“An important difference from 50 years ago is that the emphasis is now much more on the redistribution of wealth,” says environmental geographer Crelis Rammelt, who studies the popular topic Degrowth teaches at the University of Amsterdam. “There is a huge gap between the global South and the rich West. Compared to Africa, for example, we emit an extremely large amount of CO2.”
We in the West will have to give up some of our prosperity, which is driven by consumption, says Rammelt. “But there is also a big gap within the Netherlands. Big emitters have to sacrifice wealth and reduce consumption, while people at the bottom have to sacrifice nothing or even earn anything.”
Degrowers think that the climate problem cannot be solved without less consumption. And that message is catching on now that climate change is becoming an ever more pressing issue. For example, influential author Jason Hickel has been invited to speak in the House of Representatives. Climate Minister Rob Jetten also believes our consumption behavior needs to change, he recently said on the programme Buitenhof.
Technological growth
But is consuming less and outgrowing the solution? Another movement within the climate movement thinks not. Eco-modernists think technology is the solution. Economic growth and climate protection can go hand in hand. “Indeed, economic growth is a precondition for saving the climate,” says Hidde Boersma, journalist of From the correspondent and author of the book ‘MORE’.
According to him, the energy transition and the food transition are “very expensive jokes”. “We need a lot of economic growth to pay for this,” Boersma says. He argues that the idea that economic growth automatically leads to higher greenhouse gas emissions is outdated.
Several reports support this view. For example, according to the UN climate panel’s IPCC, 23 countries have managed to grow their economies by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ‘Growing green’ turns out to be possible.
However, outgrowers aren’t impressed. “Western countries come from a very high level. A Dutchman emits 23 times more per capita than a Cameroonian. So the reduction of CO2 emissions must be much faster,” says Rammelt. “Plus, those 23 countries are the frontrunner. In many other countries, growth still leads to more emissions.”
Less prosperous
According to economist Mathijs Bouman, the discussion between proponents and opponents of ‘green growth’ seems very principled, but it is actually a practical question: can we change or should we reduce? “If we quickly green our production (less CO2, more reuse and recycling) and if consumption shifts towards sustainable choices (more cycling holidays, less air travel), the economy can continue to grow while environmental damage decreases “.
But if that doesn’t work, or isn’t fast enough, you need to “outgrow,” says Bouman. “But in a democracy it’s hard to imagine the majority choosing policies that make us poorer and less prosperous in the short term, even if it benefits us in the long run.
A party advocating for a long-term structural economic downturn gets few votes. Moreover, says Bouman, the energy transition itself already requires huge investments in wind, solar and possibly nuclear energy. Houses must be insulated, heat pumps installed and old petrol and diesel cars replaced by new electric ones. “All of those investments will lead to new demand, new businesses and further economic growth whether you like it or not.”
