The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens

Reflections on 'Beyond Growth' | Frankly #31

May 19, 2023

10:10

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Quick takeaways

The European Commission president acknowledges the obsolescence of a growth model based on fossil fuels and emphasizes the need to transition away from them.

While recognizing the necessity of addressing historical inequalities, a simplistic wealth transfer from the global north to the global south is deemed politically impractical and potentially harmful.

Deep dives

Outdated Model of Growth Centered on Fossil Fuels

The podcast highlights the European Commission president's acknowledgement that a growth model centered on fossil fuels is obsolete. While growth itself is not deemed obsolete, the focus is on the need to transition away from the reliance on fossil fuels. The speaker acknowledges a shared vision with the degrowth movement, particularly regarding concerns for a better future, environmental protection, and citizen well-being. However, the speaker identifies flaws in the degrowth movement's approach to financial and energy systems, particularly the lack of consideration for the over-leveraged financial system and the potential consequences of rapid reduction in complexity.

Introduction

2min

The Problem With the Beyond Growth Conference and the Degrowth Movement

4min

The De-Grow Movement and the Systems Ecology Movement

4min

On this Frankly, Nate reflects on the Beyond Growth Conference held at the European Parliament, including the stunning public acknowledgement by EU President that a growth model based on fossil fuels is now obsolete. In the context of this growing and relevant conversation, Nate unpacks what the degrowth movement is getting right, but also what is missing from the conversation. Is it possible to purposely navigate from our current system to one with lower energy and material wealth? How does a large and growing global debt overhang impact this possibility? Is a transfer of wealth between nations feasible or even desirable based on realistic outcomes? In any case, as to the inevitability of a post-growth world, the degrowth conversation needs to be expanded. It’s the primary movement mapping out what a desirable destination might look like as we move through a Great Simplification.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/JYbIsXoBg70

For Show Notes and More: https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/frankly-original/31-reflections-on-beyond-growth