Intelligence Squared Why We Need to Slow Down to Save the Planet, with Kohei Saito
6 snips
Apr 6, 2024 
Kohei Saito, a Japanese philosopher and author of the bestseller 'Slow Down,' discusses the urgent need to shift from growth-centric economic models to sustainable practices. Joined by writer Adam McCauley, they explore class struggles and environmental disparities post-Fukushima, critique capitalist technology's inadequacies in addressing climate challenges, and promote 'degrowth communism' as a radical response. They highlight community well-being over individual wealth and advocate for grassroots movements to drive transformative societal change toward sustainability.
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Fukushima's Impact
- Kohei Saito's interest in class struggle shifted after the Fukushima disaster in 2011.
- He realized that exploitation existed not only between classes but also between regions, like Tokyo and Fukushima.
Capitalism vs. Environment
- Capitalism and environmental solutions are fundamentally incompatible.
- It's challenging to change a system from within, especially when the stakes are high.
Green Capitalism's Limits
- Green capitalism aims to decouple economic growth from resource use through green technologies.
- However, this approach is insufficient for rapid decarbonization needed to address the climate crisis.
