“Degrowth is an academic and social movement that critiques the focus on GDP growth as a measure of human and economic development. It advocates for shrinking economies to use fewer resources, aiming for ecological sustainability and socio-political equity. Degrowth challenges prevailing economic dynamics and social norms, promoting a transformative movement for systemic change.” (Wikipedia)
This BBC video asks these 2 pertinent questions –
1) “How do we live well on this planet without destroying it?”
2) “Can De-growth can save the world?”.
Maybe de-growth can save the world, but how do we actually go about “de-growing” our economies, since most people, most politicians, and most economists are fixated on the idea that “GROWTH” – which means producing (and thus wasting) ever more “stuff” – is the magical elixir which will improve the lives of everyone. Most people assume that MORE CONSUMPTION translates into BETTER LIVES and they cannot be blamed for thinking that because, if we look at the big picture – more and cheaper consumer goodies, more and better food, bigger and better cars, nice restaurants, more foreign travel, more luxury at every level – it does seem to have worked its magic over the past 80 years or so, hasn’t it?
The Oasis-City concept is the catalyst which will turn that dilemma on its head by creating an environment wherein we can live better, healthier, and more rewarding lives whilst using – and wasting – much less of everything.
Oasis-Cities will eliminate 90% of cars and with it, most car appendages – roads, service stations, and parking garages to name just a few . That, at a rough guess, would instantly reduce the size of our holy-cow “economies” by 15-20%. The dilemma is “would reducing the size of our economy by 15-20% also make us 15-20% poorer”?
By the usual measures yes, but not for those fortunate enough to live in an Oasis-City..!
