introduction to degrowth

Introduction Degrowth François Schneider

Research & DegrowthICTA, UAB

Francois@degrowth.netWWW.DEGROWTH.NET

Second international conference on Economic Degrowth for Sustainability and EquityPlenary session, Barcelona, 26 March 2010, www.degrowth.eu

We are living in times when humans are meeting the limits of

industrial development

What is degrowth?

An “equitable downscaling of production and consumption that increases human well-being and enhances ecological conditions at the local

and global level, in the short and long term”.Cleaner Production 18 (2010) 511–51

Degrowth is not a goal in itself

Multiple strategies of degrowthDegrowth is supported by a movement which

involves a range of strategies, which includes oppositions & “dissensus”voluntary simplicity and frugal innovationstheorisation & Divulgation in science and artsstruggles and political actions for the change of

some institutionsstruggles and political actions to conserve some

institutions.

Convergence of strategies

2- Alter-growthVoluntary Simplicity

1- Anti-growthCivil Desobedience

4- De-growthRedistributionCultural Change

5- No-growthSustainable society

3- A-growth: Research & Divulgation

Multiple concerns of degrowth

Degrowth is a voluntary reduction of the economic system for reasons of :

1- resource constraints2- well-being3- equality4- ecosystems sustainability5- cultural diversity6- democracy

Forecast of energeticgrowth in the world

International Energy Agency 2001

0

2000

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1971 2000 2010 2030

Mto

ns o

il eq

RenewablesHydraulicNuclearGasOilCoal

1- resource constraints

“forecast” of energetic degrowth in the world

0

2000

4000

6000

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10000

12000

14000

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1971 2000 2010 2030

Mto

ns o

il eq

RenewablesHydraulicNuclearGasOilCoal

For the meaning of life2- well-being

20% of humanity (Industrialised countries)

contribute to 86% of world spendingspossess 87% of the cars of the world (...)

3- equality

There are more than 500 000 000 cars in the world

€

With the generalisation of the rate of motorization in the world, we would have 6 times more cars in 50 years(3 billions cars)

www.ladecroissance.net/

4- ecosystems sustainability

For human relations & Conviviality

5- cultural diversity

ÿ

March for degrowth - 2005

For a deepening of democracy

6- democracy

CASSEURS DE PUB

“with a degrowth of 4% for 30 years we could avoid climate catatrophe , final exhaustion of natural resources and save our economy while in the same time save humanity and nature even if you consider this secondary”

Extract from the postcard to the ministry in 2001

Economic

Social

Environmental

Economy

Sustainable Development

Social

Environmental

Economy

Sustainable Degrowth

SustainableDevelopment

Environment Social

Economic

Environment SocialEconomic

Sustainable Degrowth