This video explores the concept of a Green New Deal, examining its historical roots, the arguments for and against "green growth" versus "degrowth" as approaches to environmental sustainability, and the broader implications beyond just reducing carbon emissions. The video aims to provide a specific, nuanced perspective on the policies required for a truly sustainable future.
The green growthers believe that the economy can continue to expand while becoming environmentally friendly. They argue that technological advancements, particularly in renewable energy, make this possible and point to the rapid decline in the cost of solar and wind power as grounds for optimism. They suggest policies like carbon taxes with progressive dividends and regulations to facilitate a transition to green energy.
The degrowthers, on the other hand, argue that the economy needs to shrink or at least stop growing to stay within environmental boundaries. They cite Jevon's Paradox, which suggests that increased efficiency often leads to increased overall consumption. They point out that GDP growth has historically been correlated with environmental degradation and that attempts to "decouple" growth from emissions have often involved outsourcing pollution. They believe that a reduction in economic activity is necessary to prevent environmental collapse.
The primary argument against degrowth presented in the video is that GDP is a measure of market value, not physical throughput. Therefore, the correlation between GDP and emissions might not be inherently meaningful. Proponents of this view suggest that focusing on environmental indicators is more important than worrying about GDP figures. They also argue that the past correlation between GDP and emissions is a spurious result of a lack of effort to combat climate change, and that with dedicated effort and policy changes, decoupling is achievable. Furthermore, they highlight the rapid advancements in renewable energy technologies and their decreasing costs as evidence that economic growth can indeed be made more environmentally sustainable.
The video discusses several specific policy proposals to move towards a more sustainable economy:
