Guest essay by Eric Worrall
According to modelling by University of Sydney and ETH Zürich, scaling back total production and placing a cap on maximum wealth would not only save the planet, it would also allow us all to enjoy shorter working weeks and the financial security of a generous universal basic income.
Climate Change Modeling of “Degrowth” Scenarios – Reduction in GDP, Energy and Material Use
By UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY MAY 11, 2021
Well-being can be maintained in a degrowth transition.
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Degrowth focuses on the global North and is defined as an equitable, democratic reduction in energy and material use while maintaining wellbeing. A decline in GDP is accepted as a likely outcome of this transition.
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“We can still satisfy peoples’ needs, maintain employment and reduce inequality with degrowth, which is what distinguishes this pathway from recession,” Mr Keyßer says.
“However, a just, democratic and orderly degrowth transition would involve reducing the gap between the haves and have-nots, with more equitable distribution from affluent nations to nations where human needs are still unmet — something that is yet to be fully explored.”
A ‘degrowth’ society could include:
- A shorter working week, resulting in reduced unemployment alongside increasing productivity and stable economic output.
- Universal basic services independent of income, for necessities i.e. food, health care, transport.
- Limits on maximum income and wealth, enabling a universal basic income to be increased and reducing inequality, rather than increasing inequality as is the current global trend.
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I think it is only fair to give the professors an opportunity to showcase their degrowth theories, by slashing their university funding, so they can demonstrate by example how much happier we would be if we all embraced a permanent reduction in income.
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“…universal basic income…”
Welfare, people reliant on Govn’t. Where will the money come from in your computer models? I have lived in a country where a persons outlook was to receive money on the dole (Welfare).
Almost ashamed to admit I received my degree from Sydney University many years ago. ETH was also a good university many years ago- we lived in Zurich many, many years ago when dad was on sabbatical in Zurich, so I happen to be familiar with ETH from 50 years ago (I am getting old.)
Sydney University has become so Marxist it isn’t funny. As for the call for lowering standards of living, you can bet that the parasitic academics won’t accept this for themselves. It is fine for others to have a lowered standard of living- equality- everyone all equally poor.
“According to modelling”, stopped reading after that opening statement! Puter says “no”!!!! Puter says “yeah”!!!! simples!!!! Does anyone know how regularly “Deep thought” gets an overhaul, it sure needs one very soon!!!! Why is it that none of these “models” (not real situations, just models) are never verified by independent bodies or authorities? Just a rhetorical question, I already know the answer!!!! 😉
“According to modelling by University of Sydney…”
It disappoints me every time I see articles like this. I live in Sydney and, apparently, Australia is the lucky country. LOL
I’ve just read something along those lines in the following blog (https://der-kleine-akif.de/.It)’s in German, but there are enough translators around: “Enteignet Bill Gates” (a wealth cap of 1 billion dollars is mentioned… it’s quite hilarious…).
Much like UK Rationing during WW2. I don’t suppose we would get a Ration Book containing clip-out coupons for our meat, etc. allowances. All electronic nowadays.
But Spivs and the black markets would thrive.
Can someone please tell these academic muppets that people have already tried communism, and it was crap.
Does this mean the great UN North-South redistribution of wealth scheme is officially dead?
The study is entirely consistent with converting to socialism, which has been the real goal of the greens and the ecologists all along. They don’t understand that the economic decline will go far below comfortable – and may lead to a counterrevolution.
I have often said that the ultimate goal of all leftists is to impoverish, humiliate, and demoralize the lower classes. Here is my proof.
The Pope says…
Pope raises alarm about Italy’s precariously low birthrate – ABC News (go.com)