GSI Seminar - The Case for Degrowth

The relentless pursuit of economic growth is the defining characteristic of contemporary societies. Yet it benefits few and demands monstrous social and ecological sacrifice. Is there a viable alternative? How can we halt the endless quest to grow global production and consumption and instead secure socio-ecological conditions that support lives worth living for all?
In this lecture, leading expert Federico Demaria makes the case for degrowth - living well with less, by living differently, prioritizing wellbeing, equity and sustainability. In his new book with Giorgos Kallis, Susan Paulson, and Giacomo D’Alisa, drawing on emerging initiatives and enduring traditions around the world, they advance a radical degrowth vision and outline policies to shape work and care, income and investment that avoid exploitative and unsustainable practices. Degrowth, they argue, can be achieved through transformative strategies that allow societies to slow down by design, not disaster.
The time is ripe for us to refocus on what really matters: not GDP, but the health and wellbeing of our people and our planet