Answer the questions below. Listen to sample answers. Report back what you heard.

• ⌚ 3:34 What is ‘decoupling’?
• ⌚ 4:18 What are some of the countries which succeeded in decoupling?
• ⌚ 4:22 Why is decoupling not enough to solve the problem?
• ⌚ 4:38 What other crises should we also try to solve?
• ⌚ 4:58 Why doesn’t Julia Schor like the term ‘degrowth’?
• ⌚ 5:15 Why does ‘degrowth’ sound scary?
• ⌚ 5:35 What are the main points of ‘degrowth’?
• ⌚ 5:54 What are some examples of industries that benefit the entire society?
• ⌚ 6:01 How may implementing ‘degrowth’ affect our working week?

• ⌚ 6:28 What is a milder form of ‘degrowth’ called?
• ⌚ 6:44 How does Doughnut Economy model work?
• ⌚ 7:28 Why do people worry that slowing GDP may be bad for us?
• ⌚ 7:32 Has ‘degrowth’ been implemented anywhere in the world?
• ⌚ 7:58 What does Zeke Hausefather think about the likelihood of politicians embracing ‘degrowth’? 

• ⌚8:19 How could we help even the playing field for other countries to catch up?
• ⌚ 8:46 What do the Global South urgently need?
• ⌚ 9:09 How could ‘degrowth’ benefit people worldwide?
• ⌚ 9:22 How many Earths would we need if everybody consumed as much as a person in the USA?
• ⌚ 9:42 How do many view increasing GDP?
• ⌚ 10:12 What is the Human Development Index and how is it different from the GDP?
• ⌚ 11:02 What policies did Jacinda Ardern implement when she was the Prime Minister of New Zealand?
• ⌚ 11:29 What do the advocates of ‘degrowth’ want us to imagine?

Alita has attended a conference on ‘degrowth’. Listen to the talk. Read Alita’s notes and then discuss the questions below.

– Doughnut Economics: A groundbreaking model by Kate Raworth. Defines a “safe and just” space for humanity.
– Inner Circle: Represents essential human needs such as health, education, and clean water.
– Outer Circle: Denotes the planet’s ecological boundaries like climate stability and biodiversity.
– Goal: Operate within the doughnut’s space where basic needs are met without surpassing the planet’s boundaries.

– Current Reality:
– Pursuit of continuous GDP growth has often led to overshooting ecological limits and neglecting essential human needs.

– Degrowth Movement:
– Not about regression but *conscious evolution*.
– Prioritizes well-being, equity, and sustainability over mere economic growth.
– Focus on *better*, not necessarily *more*.

– Redefining Success:
– Success can be more than financial growth—consider well-being, community health, and environmental sustainability.
– Young professionals have the power and responsibility to reshape industries and redefine professional success metrics.

– Global Shifts:
– Notable changes worldwide: Cities emphasizing green spaces, businesses focusing on sustainability, and communities practicing shared economies.

– Action Points:
1. Educate and Engage : Immerse in these ideas and promote meaningful discussions.
2. Embed in Practice : Integrate sustainability and equity principles into your profession.
3. Empower Others : Influence and inspire change within your professional and personal networks.

– Closing Thought:
– In our pursuit of growth, we must remain clear on the direction and purpose of our growth—aim for a balanced, thriving world.

• Defining Success: What does “success” mean to you, and does it always have to involve making more money or having more things?

• Nature and Us: Can you think of a time when you felt that taking care of nature was important? Why?

• Quality over Quantity: Do you believe it’s better to have fewer, high-quality things rather than many things that might not last as long? Why or why not?

• Local Changes: Have you noticed any changes in your town or city that seem to be good for the environment or the community?

• Imagining the Future: How do you imagine a perfect city or country? What would be different from the way we live now?

What do you think of Polish chances of becoming a major European superpower?

Share your views and opinions here.