In a recent commentary by Justin Dempsey of Burlington, a PhD candidate at UVM and a member of the Gund Institute for the Environment, he sheds light on the concept of degrowth economics. Addressing a misinformed opinion piece by Kevin Chu on scarcity and abundance, Dempsey clarifies the distinction between growth in size and improvement in quality. While personal growth is celebrated on an individual level, the focus should shift towards enhancing quality of life and public services on a larger scale.
Challenging the Notion of Growth
Dempsey emphasizes that humans are not meant to grow indefinitely physically, drawing a personal connection to his own experience of reaching a plateau in height. He highlights the essence of degrowth economics, which focuses on improving the quality of the economy without exponentially increasing the consumption of resources. By shifting the metrics of success from GDP growth to factors like quality of life, degrowth proponents aim to create a more sustainable and holistic economic model.
Redefining Progress for Vermont
While acknowledging the need for population growth in Vermont, Dempsey stresses the importance of strategic development to address the cost-of-living crisis. He advocates for targeted growth in towns with excess capacity in essential systems like sewage and schools to support and benefit from population increases. By reframing the conversation around degrowth as sustainable abundance rather than arbitrary material expansion, Dempsey aims to foster a community dialogue on leveraging shared resources for overall wellbeing.
In conclusion, the goal of degrowth economics is not to inhibit progress, but to redefine it in a way that prioritizes sustainability, equity, and community wellbeing. By reframing the narrative around economic growth and shifting focus towards quality of life outcomes, Vermont can pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous future. Let’s grow Vermont’s health, not its waistline, and strive for sustainable abundance in the face of challenges posed by traditional growth models.
