{"id":15278,"date":"2024-11-28T13:14:55","date_gmt":"2024-11-28T13:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/?p=15278"},"modified":"2024-11-28T13:15:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-28T13:15:41","slug":"what-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/11\/what-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the criticisms of degrowth?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull curved-bottom\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-post-image\" alt=\"Abandoned industry\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\"><h1 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-post-title\">What are the criticisms of degrowth?<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2024-11-28T13:14:55+00:00\">28 November 2024<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"lead\">We continue our series exploring alternative economic models. Here in the second part of our series on Degrowth, a model that calls for deliberately reducing energy and resource consumption within the economy, we examine the criticisms of degrowth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/11\/degrowth-rethinking-our-economic-future\/\">our blog<\/a> on the foundational concepts of degrowth, Madeleine Hewitt investigates the criticisms of degrowth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Degrowth Would Disrupt the Global Economy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jason Hickel, an advocate for degrowth, defines it in his article, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/14747731.2020.1812222\">What does degrowth mean? A few points of clarification<\/a>,<\/em> as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8230;<em>a planned reduction of energy and resource use designed to bring the economy back into balance with the living world in a way that reduces inequality and improves human wellbeing.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Hickel and other degrowth thinkers call for capitalism to be replaced and for high-income countries, particularly in the Global North to \u201cde-grow\u201d their economies. Lower-income and middle-income countries in the Global South are considered exempt from this.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, critics argue that any degrowth of high-income countries would also hit and <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/degrowth-slowing-down-rich-economies-to-deal-with-climate-change-is-a-flawed-idea-209434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">destabilise lower-income countries due to economic interdependencies<\/a> and reductions in global trade. As a lot of low-income countries economies are dependent upon <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tradeimex.in\/blogs\/top-10-exports-of-nigeria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exports of natural resources (oil, gas, minerals)<\/a> to high-income countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-simmons-gXlZtblI0bM-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Cargo ship in port\" class=\"wp-image-15279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-simmons-gXlZtblI0bM-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-simmons-gXlZtblI0bM-unsplash-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-simmons-gXlZtblI0bM-unsplash-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-simmons-gXlZtblI0bM-unsplash-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-simmons-gXlZtblI0bM-unsplash-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/john-simmons-gXlZtblI0bM-unsplash-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, degrowth has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iza.org\/publications\/dp\/16139\/melancholy-hues-the-futility-of-green-growth-and-degrowth-and-the-inevitability-of-societal-collapse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">criticised as an inefficient way to reduce carbon emissions.<\/a> Since carbon emissions would continue to rise in low-income and middle-income countries as they continue to industrialise. And that any redistribution of wealth towards lower-income countries as degrowth proposes, would stimulate economic growth in these regions causing resource consumption and emissions to rise further.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hurting the Poorest&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Degrowth has been described by some critics as&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opendemocracy.net\/en\/oureconomy\/degrowth-delusion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201causterity on the Western working class\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Supporters argue that it would mean putting people\u2019s wellbeing ahead of profit, to ensure a more sustainable existence for people and the planet. But critics say that any deliberate \u201cdegrowth\u201d of the economy could lead to lower wages and job losses as industries shrink, impacting people\u2019s livelihoods and driving up worse wealth inequality. They say degrowth as a policy agenda is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iza.org\/publications\/dp\/16139\/melancholy-hues-the-futility-of-green-growth-and-degrowth-and-the-inevitability-of-societal-collapse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">politically impossible.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Capitalism, whilst responsible for significant wealth inequality, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/future\/article\/20210525-why-the-next-stage-of-capitalism-is-coming\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">has also lifted millions of people out of extreme poverty.<\/a> Critics of degrowth argue that it risks leaving the world\u2019s poorest behind, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldvision.org\/sponsorship-news-stories\/global-poverty-facts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">712 million people still living in extreme poverty,<\/a> and that it\u2019s economic growth which is necessary for low-income countries to develop and raise peoples\u2019 standard of living.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Environmental Destruction Predates Capitalism&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many degrowth supporters argue that without capitalism there would be no environmental destruction \u2013 but critics contest this point. There\u2019s no doubt that capitalism\u2019s continuous pursuit of profit and growth, enabled by and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2024\/sep\/18\/spending-subsidies-environment-deforestation-pollution-fossil-fuels-aoe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">propping up the fossil fuel industries,<\/a> has led to unprecedented disruption to the world\u2019s climate and widespread environmental destruction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1070\" height=\"694\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/smoky-factory.jpg\" alt=\"Smoky factory\" class=\"wp-image-11092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/smoky-factory.jpg 1070w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/smoky-factory-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/smoky-factory-1024x664.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/smoky-factory-768x498.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1070px) 100vw, 1070px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But whilst capitalism is flawed, many civilisations caused environmental harm before capitalism even existed. When our ancient ancestors began the great human migration out of Africa and to other continents, so too did they precipitate the extinction of many of the world\u2019s largest mammals: including woolly mammoths, giant ground sloths, and sabre-toothed tigers. Known as the <a href=\"https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/quaternary-megafauna-extinction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quaternary megafauna extinction<\/a>, it occurred between 10,000 to 50,000 years ago and led to the extinction of more than 178 species.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the course of human history, roughly <a href=\"https:\/\/openknowledge.fao.org\/server\/api\/core\/bitstreams\/3463127c-125b-4294-8b4b-db7111b5fe1a\/content#page=21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">three-quarters of deforestation in temperate forests<\/a> occurred before the Industrial Revolution.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/www.thenewatlantis.com\/publications\/must-growth-doom-the-planet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Case studies<\/a> of economic crises in Southeast Asia, the former Soviet Union, and Greece, have shown that struggling populations have turned to forests for firewood, increased poaching of wildlife, and used destructive techniques such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2018\/06\/15\/world\/asia\/philippines-dynamite-fishing-coral.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dynamite fishing<\/a>. Therefore, critics assert that if degrowth caused any decline in people\u2019s wellbeing or resource security, it\u2019s likely to cause a backlash of environmental deterioration.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rich Countries Protect the Environment&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Critics of degrowth argue that it\u2019s economic growth that secures more environmental protections. They cite the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.economicsonline.co.uk\/definitions\/the-kuznets-curve.html\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">environmental Kuznets curve (EKC)<\/a>, which describes a pattern where, initially, as countries experience rapid industrialisation and economic growth, environmental pollution tends to worsen. However, as countries develop and become more aware of environmental concerns, environmental impacts decrease because of deindustrialisation (decrease in manufacturing) as developed economies transition to a dominant service sector and governments introduce stricter environmental regulations.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A diagram of a graph\nDescription automatically generated\" src=\"blob:https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/57f7b5ac-c3c3-4f5c-97a9-0bfffbad79fb\"><\/img><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And that it\u2019s the world\u2019s richest countries that are putting more land and water under conservation, reintroducing native species through \u201crewilding programs\u201d into ecosystems, and funding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/groups\/the-darwin-initiative\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">biodiversity conservation grants such as the Darwin Initiative.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Social Democracy Saves the Environment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some argue that wider environmental protection doesn\u2019t come from reductions of GDP growth, but rather via public-sector infrastructure spending and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opendemocracy.net\/en\/oureconomy\/degrowth-delusion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stricter government regulation.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the United States, aggregate levels of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/opinion-why-degrowth-is-the-worst-idea-on-the-planet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">six common air pollutants have declined by 77%,<\/a> even as GDP increased by 285%, following the introduction of the Clean Air Act 1970.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Depletion of the atmospheric ozone layer due to the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in industrial and domestic applications such as fridges and aerosols, posed a serious ecological crisis. Then the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unep.org\/news-and-stories\/story\/rebuilding-ozone-layer-how-world-came-together-ultimate-repair-job\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1987 Montreal Protocol ban<\/a> on ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs, enforced by national laws, has meant emissions have declined by 98%. Ozone depletion reversed by the 2000s and full recovery is expected by 2075.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/the-world-solved-acid-rain-we-can-also-solve-climate-change\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">issue of acid rain has been largely abated<\/a> following stronger regulations of Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrous Oxide emissions by industry, following the Canada\u2013United States Air Quality Agreement in 1991, and similar regulation introduced by the European Union.&nbsp;<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Proponents of degrowth argue that it\u2019s necessary to help reduce carbon emissions. However, critics argue that this may be more effectively achieved through government interventions including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/programs\/pricing-carbon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carbon taxes<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/earth.org\/how-a-bold-tax-on-the-ultra-wealthy-could-address-climate-changes-financial-crisis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wealth taxes<\/a>, since it\u2019s predominantly the <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2022\/02\/fat-cats-and-fossil-fuel-companies-whos-to-blame-for-climate-change\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">richest 1% in society<\/a> that produce the majority of emissions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Decoupling Possible?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Decoupling is a complete separation between GDP growth from any environmental impacts and is a key component of <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/10\/green-growth-sustainable-future-or-myth-part-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">green growth.<\/a> Over the past decade, over 11 high-income countries, including the UK, have claimed to reduce their CO2 consumption emissions while increasing their GDP (absolute decoupling).\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mario-la-pergola-LXWt-XEXvTg-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"London pollution\" class=\"wp-image-15280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mario-la-pergola-LXWt-XEXvTg-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mario-la-pergola-LXWt-XEXvTg-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mario-la-pergola-LXWt-XEXvTg-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mario-la-pergola-LXWt-XEXvTg-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mario-la-pergola-LXWt-XEXvTg-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mario-la-pergola-LXWt-XEXvTg-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, degrowth advocates argue that decoupling has not actually occurred, rather through global trade, high-income countries such as the UK, have offshored their industry and displaced the corresponding environmental impacts to lower and middle-income countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>In other words, what looks like \u201cgreen growth\u201d is really just an artifact of globalization.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>Jason Hickel, <a href=\"https:\/\/foreignpolicy.com\/2020\/06\/18\/more-from-less-green-growth-environment-gdp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Myth of America\u2019s Green Growth<\/a>&nbsp;<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Critics argue that decoupling has successfully occurred in high-income countries. They credit reductions in air pollution from highway vehicles and power plants following stricter government regulation as evidence of successful decoupling between GDP growth and reduced environmental impacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Economic Growth Brings Innovation&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/opinion-why-degrowth-is-the-worst-idea-on-the-planet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dematerialisation<\/a> is\u202fthe absolute or relative reduction in the quantity of materials required to serve economic functions in society. In simpler terms, it\u2019s the use of less resource and energy to make the same product.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s widely recognised that growing demand for material goods and services by a growing global population and rising levels of affluence has increased pressure on natural resources <a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/03\/global-resources-dwindling-as-demand-rises\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">causing the climate and biodiversity crises the world faces.<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it\u2019s also been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/opinion-why-degrowth-is-the-worst-idea-on-the-planet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">argued that innovation brought along by economic growth<\/a> has led to dematerialisation and efficiency gains in the economy, thereby also reducing environmental impacts. In this way it\u2019s argued that capitalism encourages innovation and efficiency, as companies seek to reduce overheads and increase profits, thereby limiting environmental impacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>More food grown on less land:<\/strong> In the United States domestic crop tonnage has risen steadily over the years and in 2015 was more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/story\/opinion-why-degrowth-is-the-worst-idea-on-the-planet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">55% higher than in 1980.<\/a> Over that same period total water used for irrigation declined by 18% and total cropland used by more than 7%.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Growing industry less air pollution:<\/strong> China\u2019s manufacturing-heavy economy has been continuing to grow at a fast rate, but it has also managed to <a href=\"https:\/\/news.uchicago.edu\/story\/chinas-war-against-pollution-shows-promising-results-study-finds\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reduce its air pollution<\/a> in densely populated areas by more than 30% between 2013 and 2017.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/marc-kleen-ZHCzTgbMY2w-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Food growth \/ grain\" class=\"wp-image-15281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/marc-kleen-ZHCzTgbMY2w-unsplash-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/marc-kleen-ZHCzTgbMY2w-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/marc-kleen-ZHCzTgbMY2w-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/marc-kleen-ZHCzTgbMY2w-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/marc-kleen-ZHCzTgbMY2w-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/marc-kleen-ZHCzTgbMY2w-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Critics of degrowth argue that it would stifle and inhibit innovation and technological breakthroughs, which they point out tend to occur more <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/degrowth-slowing-down-rich-economies-to-deal-with-climate-change-is-a-flawed-idea-209434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">frequently in high-income countries that invest in research and development.<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it can also be identified that the <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.law.ox.ac.uk\/oblb\/blog-post\/2024\/03\/how-big-tech-coopts-disruption-and-what-do-about-it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">monopolisation of certain large tech companies has stifled innovation and competition.<\/a> And that large companies have also been identified as cutting corners on environmental regulation \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2023\/jul\/04\/thames-water-fined-33m-for-pumping-sewage-into-rivers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">including illegal waste dumping<\/a> \u2013 in order to reduce costs. Therefore, it must be recognised capitalism in practice has not actually resulted in the constant evolution of its own innovation and efficiency, but rather <a href=\"https:\/\/commonwealthclimatelaw.org\/the-green-mirage-climate-lobbying-and-corporate-greenwashing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">corporate lobbying<\/a> and cross-sector monopolisation has led to stagnation and compounded environmental harms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Criticism of the degrowth model has identified some significant flaws in its concept. However, at times these criticisms also gloss over the deep flaws also apparent in modern capitalism.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the fragile state of the environment and worsening wealth inequality, it\u2019s clear there\u2019s a need for a fundamental systematic change. But whether that is adopting a degrowth approach or another alternative economic model is still up for discussion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-share\"><a class=\"fb-share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpopulationmatters.org%2Fnews%2F2024%2F11%2Fwhat-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><div><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M400 32H48A48 48 0 0 0 0 80v352a48 48 0 0 0 48 48h137.25V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.27c-30.81 0-40.42 19.12-40.42 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V480H400a48 48 0 0 0 48-48V80a48 48 0 0 0-48-48z\"><\/path><\/svg> Share<\/div><\/a><a class=\"tw-share\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpopulationmatters.org%2Fnews%2F2024%2F11%2Fwhat-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth%2F&amp;text=What%20are%20the%20criticisms%20of%20degrowth%3F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><div><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M459.37 151.716c.325 4.548.325 9.097.325 13.645 0 138.72-105.583 298.558-298.558 298.558-59.452 0-114.68-17.219-161.137-47.106 8.447.974 16.568 1.299 25.34 1.299 49.055 0 94.213-16.568 130.274-44.832-46.132-.975-84.792-31.188-98.112-72.772 6.498.974 12.995 1.624 19.818 1.624 9.421 0 18.843-1.3 27.614-3.573-48.081-9.747-84.143-51.98-84.143-102.985v-1.299c13.969 7.797 30.214 12.67 47.431 13.319-28.264-18.843-46.781-51.005-46.781-87.391 0-19.492 5.197-37.36 14.294-52.954 51.655 63.675 129.3 105.258 216.365 109.807-1.624-7.797-2.599-15.918-2.599-24.04 0-57.828 46.782-104.934 104.934-104.934 30.213 0 57.502 12.67 76.67 33.137 23.715-4.548 46.456-13.32 66.599-25.34-7.798 24.366-24.366 44.833-46.132 57.827 21.117-2.273 41.584-8.122 60.426-16.243-14.292 20.791-32.161 39.308-52.628 54.253z\"><\/path><\/svg> Tweet<\/div><\/a><a class=\"li-share\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpopulationmatters.org%2Fnews%2F2024%2F11%2Fwhat-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth%2F&amp;text=What%20are%20the%20criticisms%20of%20degrowth%3F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><div><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg> Post<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-light-blue-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-grid grid grid-3\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/09\/endless-economic-growth-unsustainable-for-planet-and-people\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>Endless economic growth unsustainable for planet and people<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/fas-khan-zydtqCd0T3w-unsplash-768x512.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-14754\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/fas-khan-zydtqCd0T3w-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/fas-khan-zydtqCd0T3w-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/fas-khan-zydtqCd0T3w-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/fas-khan-zydtqCd0T3w-unsplash-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>As part of an upcoming project exploring alternative economic models, this article looks at how the current pursuit of endless economic growth drives environmental degradation and deepens social inequality. The traditional growth mindset prevails among our political classes, but it is not working for planet or people.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/11\/degrowth-rethinking-our-economic-future\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>Degrowth: Rethinking Our Economic Future<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mark-konig-WIxAt-XyXO0-unsplash-768x432.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-15271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mark-konig-WIxAt-XyXO0-unsplash-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mark-konig-WIxAt-XyXO0-unsplash-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mark-konig-WIxAt-XyXO0-unsplash-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mark-konig-WIxAt-XyXO0-unsplash-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/mark-konig-WIxAt-XyXO0-unsplash-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>The concept of Degrowth challenges the conventional belief that endless economic growth is the only thing to strive for. It offers a vision for a sustainable future by addressing the environmental and social costs of growth-focused economies.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-popmat-post-teaser\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/10\/green-growth-sustainable-future-or-myth-part-one\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>Green Growth: Sustainable Future or Myth? &#8211; Part One<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/matthew-smith-768x511.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-15001\" srcset=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/matthew-smith-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/matthew-smith-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/matthew-smith.jpg 939w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/img>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Green Growth asserts that continued economic growth can be compatible with staying in the ecological limits of our planet, with measures to decouple GDP growth from environmental impacts. It\u2019s become popular amongst policymakers, but climate scientists are sceptical that green growth can ever truly be green.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We continue our series exploring alternative economic models. Here in the second part of our series on Degrowth, a model that calls for deliberately reducing energy and resource consumption within the economy, we examine the criticisms of degrowth.","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":15283,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[13],"class_list":["post-15278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-economics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What are the criticisms of degrowth? - Population Matters<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore key criticisms of degrowth, from economic risks to inefficiencies in emissions reduction, and its global implications.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/11\/what-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What are the criticisms of degrowth?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We continue our series exploring alternative economic models. Here in the second part of our series on Degrowth, a model that calls for deliberately reducing energy and resource consumption within the economy, we examine the criticisms of degrowth.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/11\/what-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Population Matters\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PopulationMatters\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-11-28T13:14:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-11-28T13:15:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ben Stallworthy\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"What are the criticisms of degrowth?\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"We continue our series exploring alternative economic models. 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Here in the second part of our series on Degrowth, a model that calls for deliberately reducing energy and resource consumption within the economy, we examine the criticisms of degrowth.","og_url":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/11\/what-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth\/","og_site_name":"Population Matters","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PopulationMatters","article_published_time":"2024-11-28T13:14:55+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-11-28T13:15:41+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Ben Stallworthy","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"What are the criticisms of degrowth?","twitter_description":"We continue our series exploring alternative economic models. Here in the second part of our series on Degrowth, a model that calls for deliberately reducing energy and resource consumption within the economy, we examine the criticisms of degrowth.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/karsten-fullhaas-e8X5eCD_5Ts-unsplash-scaled.jpg","twitter_creator":"@PopnMatters","twitter_site":"@PopnMatters","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ben Stallworthy","Estimated reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/11\/what-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/news\/2024\/11\/what-are-the-criticisms-of-degrowth\/"},"author":{"name":"Ben Stallworthy","@id":"https:\/\/populationmatters.org\/#\/schema\/person\/e22a727208fdfa4e4352c1697a0fb0cc"},"headline":"What are the criticisms of 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