elpais.com
Unsustainable Growth: Climate Change, Inequality, and the Rise of Post-Growth Economics
The article discusses the unsustainable nature of economic growth models, citing projected GDP losses from climate change (12% per 1°C, 20% in Latin America by 2049) and extreme wealth inequality (richest 1% capturing 54% of growth). Post-growth economic theories, aiming for well-being within planetary boundaries, are presented as an alternative.
- What are the immediate economic and human consequences of the projected 3°C global temperature increase, and how does wealth inequality exacerbate these impacts?
- The global economy faces a 12% GDP loss per 1°C temperature increase, with a projected 3°C rise by the end of the century, resulting in substantial economic and human costs. Latin America alone could suffer a 20% GDP loss by 2049 due to climate change impacts. This is further exacerbated by wealth inequality, with the richest 1% capturing 54% of global growth.
- How do current economic models based on infinite growth contribute to global instability, and what are the limitations of relying solely on GDP as a measure of success?
- Current economic models based on infinite growth are unsustainable due to finite resources and the planet's biophysical limits. This dependence on growth increases instability, as seen in climate change's projected economic damage and the unequal distribution of wealth, where the richest 5% control 70% of global growth.
- What are the key tenets of post-growth economic theories, and what evidence supports the feasibility of achieving societal well-being within planetary boundaries without continuous economic growth?
- Post-growth economic theories offer alternatives by prioritizing well-being within planetary boundaries. This involves reducing working hours, implementing taxes on natural resources and carbon, expanding public services, and redistributing wealth. While challenges remain, such as a lack of empirical evidence for specific policy implementations, these models demonstrate the possibility of achieving societal well-being without continuous economic growth.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the discussion around the unsustainability of continuous economic growth and the need for alternative models, which is evident from the headline and opening paragraphs. This framing might lead readers to perceive continuous growth as inherently problematic and readily accept the post-growth model as a solution without considering potential drawbacks or alternative perspectives.
Language Bias
While the article uses strong language to highlight the urgency of the climate crisis and the limitations of current economic models (e.g., "herejía", "inexorablemente"), it generally maintains a neutral tone. The use of strong language could be seen as persuasive rather than biased, as it aims to raise awareness about a critical issue.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the economic consequences of climate change and the limitations of continuous economic growth, but it could benefit from including perspectives from economists who support continued growth or those who argue against the post-growth model. The article also omits discussion of potential downsides or challenges in implementing post-growth policies, such as potential economic instability during the transition or resistance from powerful vested interests.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a clear dichotomy between continued economic growth and the post-growth model, potentially overlooking more nuanced approaches or incremental changes that could mitigate the negative impacts of growth without abandoning it entirely. It does acknowledge that the implementation of post-growth policies might differ between the global north and south, but this doesn't fully address the spectrum of possible solutions.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article emphasizes the unsustainable nature of infinite economic growth, highlighting its contribution to climate change and advocating for alternative economic models within planetary boundaries. It cites studies showing significant economic losses due to rising temperatures and supports the need for policies to mitigate climate change, such as carbon taxes and investment in eco-friendly industries. The article directly connects the pursuit of economic growth with exceeding planetary boundaries and jeopardizing the climate.