In the past half-century the growing world has shown us that we are able to increase human population and prosperity while also taking better care of the planet we live on. Although we still face challenges of which global warming as the most pressing.
Around the world, populations grew more quickly than ever before, and economies grew even faster as people strove for a higher standard of living. Unfortunately, it seemed that along with this growth came three side effects, all of which were both inevitable and terrible. Bad side effect of growth was pollution. Air, water and land were all getting steadily dirtier in the years leading up to Earth Day and the consequence of constant growth was extinction of creatures that we share the planet with.
Back then the solution to us for wanted to save species, reduce pollution and avoid running out of natural resources, seemed that we have to do one thing above all else: stop growing. But with years of research, we figured out how to tread more lightly on our planet, even as we become more numerous and prosperous over time. This happy phenomenon is most advanced in the richest countries, but it’s spreading around the world.
Our experience since Earth Day has demonstrated that our planet is easily vast enough to supply us with all the materials we’ll need, for as long as we’ll need them. As mentioned on Newsweek.com the EKC was tells us something fundamental: that economic growth is at first the cause of pollution, then the cure for it. So to reduce pollution, we don’t have to pursue degrowth; instead, we should encourage growth around the world. And in addition to protecting species, we’re also protecting territory.
We now know that the core idea of degrowth—that there is no other way to conserve the earth for future generations—is simply wrong. With a few smart moves, including limiting pollution and protecting vulnerable species, we can have both greater human prosperity and a healthy, endlessly abundant planet. So let’s get to work on building one.
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Sources: NEWS WEEK DIGITAL (https://www.newsweek.com/)
