Challenges in Decarbonization and Economic Growth

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The chapter delves into the complexities of decarbonization efforts, highlighting the need for a dual approach of efficiency along with sufficiency and equity. It discusses the limitations of solely focusing on electric cars for emissions reduction, emphasizing the necessity of reducing total energy use and reallocating resources towards socially and ecologically necessary sectors. The conversation also critiques the current economic system driven by profit maximization, advocating for democratic control over investments and production to address the pressing social and environmental crises.

Paris Marx is joined by Jason Hickel to discuss how technology would change in a degrowth society and why it doesn’t make sense to organize society around profit and infinite expansion.

Jason Hickel is the author of Less Is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World. He’s also a Professor at the Institute for Environmental Science and Technology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

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