This chapter explores the idea of a four-day work week without a loss in pay and its feasibility in relation to building clean energy infrastructure and achieving decarbonization. It also discusses the importance of an egalitarian distribution of work, the potential economic boost from increased spending power, and the argument that both capitalism and socialism rely on economic growth.
Since the industrial revolution, the global north has seen massive economic growth. Yet that growth has been linked to increasing greenhouse gas emissions. We also live on a planet with finite resources, so it's hard to believe that we can continue to consume resources and release emissions and not sail right past our collective climate goals. That’s why some people are starting to rethink perpetual economic growth as the best measure of a healthy economy. But what would an economy focused on metrics other than growth look like?
Guests:
Anuna De Wever, Climate and Social Justice activist
Leigh Phillips, journalist and author of Austerity Ecology & The Collapse-Porn Addicts
Marieke van Doorninck, Director, Kennisland, former Deputy Mayor, Amsterdam
For show notes and related links, visit https://www.climateone.org/audio/rethinking-economic-growth-wealth-and-health
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