January 31, 2023

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Can The Tragedy Of The Commons Be Solved With Economic Degrowth?

Change is inevitable. What should we do when a number of people cling to a system that is harmful but the norm? Economic degrowth is mocked by the corporate world and governments. Although it seems irrational to continue an economic system that is based on exploitation and destruction, there is little openness to rethink our global economies. Does a remedy exist? Imagine what a future that favours prosperity and sustainable development could look like. I have difficulty imagining a sustainable global economy. Let me introduce you to degrowth and the tragedy of the commons. Two concepts not paired before!
Written by Veronika Tietz

How often have you heard that economic degrowth is too complex, too complicated or too expensive? 

Degrowth – part of sustainable development – is not an economic recession or a sober plan to return to the dark ages. Today, I want to show you that degrowth is not a step backwards, but a better way forward. Degrowth – part of sustainable development – is not an economic recession or a sober plan to return to the dark ages.

Part of the idea of degrowth is that the needs of current generations are met without diminishing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Furthermore, degrowth acts as a measuring scale to create a balance between economic activities and environmental stability.

One aspect of economic sustainable development is often overlooked. It is the damage caused by historic abuse. What it means is the social and environmental damage caused in the past which is a crucial part of how we function as societies nowadays. As with carbon emissions, past, current and future regeneration need to be taken into account to achieve holistic sustainability. 

Let’s have a look at what needs to change.

Why our economies and societies need to change

For a big number of reasons, societies all over the world are urged for economic as well as societal change – in particular in affluent nations. 

The prevalent societal systems support unsustainable, exploitative and damaging behaviour which, unfortunately, is the norm. Examplaratory, the term ‘throwaway culture’ is linked to a concept that only exists in the human world: waste.

Degrowth For People And Planet

The well-being of planet and people is important

 

Waste does not occur in the natural world. Over billions of years, the natural environment developed ecosystems where waste products recirculate into the system. Consequently, it enables nature to develop prosperous and diverse life systems.

Nothing is left behind. Everything has its purpose. 

UNsustainable systems make life harder for us – Is degrowth the answer?

In the modern world, single-use and limited-lifetime items are the norm and discarded after their usefulness has been exhausted. Surely, at first glance, they seem convenient and cheap, but the real price will be paid in the future.

Numerous problems come with this type of system where waste generation is “normal”. 

Waste takes on different forms such as plastic waste, food waste, clothes waste, energy waste, water waste, chemical waste, medical waste and many others. Even carbon is a waste product because there is more in the atmosphere than can be naturally captured.

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The current economic model is fueling waste generation from which many industries profit. Unfortunately, we can not afford this type of system any longer. As you see, UNsustainability is the norm in almost every corner where people have a finger in the pie.

There are many more faulty systems created by humans. Waste is one of the easier to understand and valuable to visualise the underlying issues.

Economic degrowth is more needed than globally admit

Our economic systems reward people who exploit others and the environment. I do not know many people who are happy at their job. Most work to meet needs ends.

While most people live below the poverty level, others enjoy luxury lifestyles at the expense of others’ hard work or oppression.

In 1833, the British writer William Forster Lloyd framed the tragedy of the commons. The tragedy of the commons refers to the challenge of human self-interest in regard to publicly accessible resources which can easily be exploited. This TedEd Video explains the economic theory brilliantly:

What is the tragedy of the commons? – Nicholas Amendolare

Many people lack education and access to information because they live in regions where resources are scarce. Not only this, those regions are targeted by corporations that seek out places, where labour costs are low and environmental regulations are not strict enough.

It is not only about a lack of educational resources, communities are knowingly prevented from meeting their own needs. Those needs are usually pretty simple like affordable housing and food. 

We might think that poor people can learn from us. How to find an apartment or how to find a job. But the issues are in most cases systemic problems where ‘simple’ endeavours are specifically difficult for certain groups of people.

We see development as progress, but it cannot be progress when it becomes harder and harder to lead a simple life. 

There is enough money, but there are not enough resources to support a westernised lifestyle. Degrowth is an opportunity to create lifestyles that are good for societies and natural well-being – in accordance with natural and cultural laws.

What does it have to do with you?

There are two simple questions I want to ask you:

 

  1. What are your strengths?*
  2. How do you want to create a future worth looking forward to?

 

*If you are unsure about your strengths, I recommend you take this free test from the VIA Character Strengths Survey. It helps me a lot to adjust my goals according to my strengths. (I’m not benefiting monetarily from this link. I simply share this resource with you because it helped me a lot in many regards.) –> Let us know your answers in the comment section below!

The reason why I do not want to tell you what to do about the above-listed issues is that a one-size-fits-all solution does not work. Degrowth is a concept about reflecting how we want to act as societies on the only planet that enables our existence.

This is our moment to reimagine our future and create one we can look forward to.

Related:

A Sustainable 2023 Starts With You! Create A Future To Look Forward To

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