The connection between consumerism and the environment is one that has been made many times. Yet, since the consumer culture has seeped into many nooks and crannies all over the world, it helps to remind ourselves that there is a connection!
The idea of degrowing our economy has been around since the 1970s and the general thrust is that economic growth is not our aim and in fact causes harm. Measurements like a country’s gross domestic product can give equal weight to economic activity due to an oil spill as it can to growing organic food.
Practically speaking, a desire for a degrowth economy means calling for more local economies and local growing of food. Degrowth is about more time for community, less on what we are buying.
Check out these articles for more on degrowth:
- A Guide to Degrowth
- Degrowing Our Economy is a Necessary Climate Solution
- Beyond the Choke Hold of Growth
“But when we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.” … Marie Kondo