Defining Degrowth
Degrowth is an emerging mindset and experiment. It is an evolving concept that is gathering interest amongst sustainability professionals who are rapidly realising that our current socio-economic framework cannot enable a genuinely sustainable future. The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) have released a documentary that offers a flavour of some of the ideas and experiments that are underway. The Routledge Handbook of Degrowth is freely available online. If you are in a rush to understand what all the fuss is about, you can start at chapter 3; which discusses the unequal sharing of Earth’s natural resources between humans.
The mindset required for genuine sustainability reflects philosophies like the African ‘Ubuntu philosophy’, and the Japanese concept of ‘omoiyari’. Both of these perspectives build on the understanding that personal wellbeing is integral and dependent on the wellbeing of others. This understanding provides the foundation for respecting the needs of others. An Ubuntu outlook minimises the conflicts between humans and also their conflicts with other species. Many indigenous people employ a Nature-based outlook on life. Therefore, recognising the common characteristics of indigenous cultures can guide us towards the Ubuntu mindset. Thus we can learn to consider the welfare of future generations in our every act.
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Changing our perspective and our behaviour
Perspective is an ever-changing dynamic. Therefore, everyone is likely to participate in all the behaviours listed above within their own lives at different times. Life continually generates a dynamic scale of emotions, perspectives, purpose, and aspirations. Our perspective will usually influence the direction of this flow and our subsequent behaviour.
This Ted talk by Dr Kelly Lambert reveals that the modern world of technology often gives rise to high neuroplasticity in our brains. This enables us to rapidly adapt to different perspectives and approaches. Lambert’s research reveals that an inactive life with limited social interaction often causes high-rates of anxiety; and there is evidence that the hormone imbalances which cause high anxiety can be realigned by physical activity and human interactions. Lambert suggests a new concept named ‘behaviourceuticals’ as the antidote to our anxieties; in place of pharmaceuticals. This concept will help us develop Ubuntu behaviours.
Eco-anxiety is causing increasing cases of anxiety and depression. Increasing manual labour to minimise our reliance on fossil fuels, and increasing our social interaction, whilst sharing concerns and responsibilities as eco-stewards will probably offer the best antidote for ecoanxiety. Our current socio-economic model is toxic for all life on Earth, including humans. To remove the toxic elements from our current model, we shall need to challenge our dependency on: growth economics, pronatalism, the wealth hierarchy, and the military industrial complex.
Many different initiatives emerging
There are numerous different concepts and organisations that are gradually getting involved in the emerging Degrowth experiment. For example: ‘post-growth’, ‘wellbeing economy’, ‘doughnut economy’, ‘circular economy’, ‘steady-state economy’, ‘Saners’, ‘Common Home for Humanity’, ‘the Society Project’, ‘Council for Human Future’, ‘The Good Leadership Society’, ‘Wisocracy’, ‘Club of Rome’, ‘Forum for the Future’, ‘Deep Transformation Network’, ‘Stable Planet Alliance’, ‘Mobilizing an Earth Governance Alliance’, ‘The World Federalist Government’.
Unhelpful actors and terms
The term ‘abundance’ is unhelpful in the context of chronic overshoot. Many within the sphere of sustainability are misguidedly working to perpetuate growth. Oxford University had two radical economists as students, Kate Raworth and Gary Stevenson; but the university still does not challenge the wealth hierarchy. Perhaps an endless global environmental crisis is appealing when you are receiving lots of funding to suggest solutions. Sustainability and financial profit are not compatible.
There are many who are making a financial profit from the climate and environmental crisis. The UN climate conferences are more of a trade fair than any genuine attempt to alter our behaviour. In this Ted talk, Al Gore exposes carbon capture projects as a fraud. There is no way round the laws of Physics; but we could exploit our knowledge of them more wisely.
The excitement of getting involved
The people involved in Degrowth are already expanding their ability to empathise and to consider the wellbeing of other people and other species when making their personal life choices. The growing list of relevant organisations and new concepts are all evidence of a global dialogue that is criticising business-as-usual; and the growing global desire for profound socio-economic changes. This emerging phenomenon is preparing us for the transition into a global civilisation that will work hard to recover Earth’s ecosystems; and begin to repay the ecological debts accrued from decades of chronic ecological overshoot caused by humans.
The briefing publication from the Degrowth Institute: Has the Economy Outgrown the Planet? offers a flavour of some of the ideas that are emerging with economic downsizing as their purpose. The Degrowth Institute offers this guiding sentiment:
To bring about true sustainability, we must work together to pair environmental and social justice efforts with an intentional downscaling of the global economy.
An ambition to maximise mitigation
Right now, we have an opportunity to state an ambition that offers our descendants maximum mitigation from the growing existential threats. Research from Dr William Rees reveals that 80% of the global ecological overshoot is caused by our global population size. The research from Dr Rees indicates that if we shrink average consumption per capita to a quarter of the current levels, then Earth might cope with a population of 2 billion. Therefore, we need to aspire to downscale both the global economy and our population to about a quarter of the current 8 billion. If we can learn to cooperate peacefully at a global level, then this aspiration could be achieved voluntarily over time.
The remainder of this section shines a light on some possibilities that might facilitate such an ambition. Where I am aware of people or organisations who have considered such ideas, I have provided links.
A new reserve currency, digital and global
In this video, Prof Steve Keen explains that the Bretton-Woods financial system, agreed in 1944, holds the key to understanding America’s punishing trade deficits of today. It is a sobering story that warns ‘be careful what you wish for’. The introduction of the US petrodollar as the reserve currency gave America an unfair advantage in the short term. In the longer-term their voracious habit of importing goods has caused their huge trade deficit. The USA has a high consumption rate and footprint per capita. Thus, in ecological terms it is a threat to the rest of the world.
The USA has abdicated its responsibility with regards to the Paris climate agreement. This video compares the stark warnings from the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries with the much softer risk assessment recently offered the American bank JP Morgan Chase. The UK IFOA recognises that with climate tipping points whizzing past, climate change is now accelerating exponentially, along with the associated risks.
On July 3 2025, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights affirmed that action to protect the climate system and prevent environmental degradation is a requirement under international law; the report is available at this link.
The USA is fighting internally against the oligarchs that currently control their democracy. It would help the struggle if a new reserve global currency emerged for a global community seeking to operate within Earth’s limits. There is considerable injustice involved in the currency exchange market, and within the International Monetary Fund. Just like the climate injustice, the global North is always favoured over the global South.
This research paper considers the possibility of a global currency reform. Author David Kauders describes the flaws in our current financial system in his book The Greatest Crash and offers ideas to correct the flaws.
Dismantling the wealth hierarchy
Both Spain and Brazil are now implementing new tax strategies to impact the very wealthy. Ingrid Robeyns research is explained in her book Limitarianism; her work is helping many governments to consider how they might put a cap on wealth. The economist Gary Stevenson also addresses wealth inequality; he is reaching out to politicians in the UK and any other influencers. In this episode he explains how the unfolding global financial collapse is fuelling the success of populist politicians.
Dismantling the wealth hierarchy is an essential step towards genuine sustainability. Once the wealthy understand that their wealth cannot defy the laws of physics, they will soon be willing to assist the rest of us in an aspiration to return within the limits of Earth. Humans have the knowledge to work to reverse the horrendous pollution and destruction that we have inflicted on Earth in the last century. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
A voluntary global birth strike
Facilitating a voluntary global birth strike would protect many unborn from the escalating dangers of climate breakdown and ecosystems collapse. The time and energy that is normally invested in parenting, would be an invaluable resource for reframing our global financial systems and our socio-economic model. In this way we could focus on building a safe global community that works within the biophysical limitations of Earth; whilst simultaneously minimising the number of children exposed to the dangers during our difficult socio-economic transition.
Unity from religious leaders can help us to steer a wiser path
Many regard bearing children as a moral duty. There is nothing in religious teaching that actually expresses this obligation; our religious leaders can help us to understand than in a world of chronic overshoot there is no moral duty to burden Earth with too many of our progeny. The Ubuntu mindset involves understanding what will suffice, rather than seeking abundance during this period of extreme challenges to Earth’s ecosystems.
For example, let us consider Genesis 1:28 when God says ‘Go forth and multiply!’. This suggestion came at the beginning of our journey on Earth. At that time we had not overpopulated the Earth. It was an appropriate suggestion for that moment in our history. It was not a commandment.
Later on in John 13:34–35 Jesus says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” — John 13:34–35. This American pastor points out that Jesus was the most ‘woke’ person who ever walked our Earth, since all his teachings respect diversity, equity, and inclusion. Under Donald Trump, the USA is sadly turning its back on such Christian teachings. The new Pope Leo XIV has introduced ten changes which all resonate with the sharing philosophies of Ubuntu and ‘omoiyari’. The Americans are rising up in protest against their wealth hierarchy. These events are all evidence of the Ubuntu evolution.
Islam is also helping; its teachings provide the Palestinians with their amazing emotional resilience. Furthermore, Islam paved the way for women’s rights in the modern world. It is a small step to steer away from childbearing in order to focus on sufficiency rather than excess.
This message from the Dali Lama calls for unity between all religions; he observes that all religions advocate compassion and love for one another.
Some leaders within the Jewish faith are speaking out against the state of Israel and the genocide that is playing out. Unity across faiths could pave the way to dismantling the military industrial complex.
Dismantling the military industrial complex
Wars are always a battle over resources, either natural or human. We cannot afford the ecological cost of any war at this moment of chronic global ecological debt. We urgently need to rebuild international trust and dismantle the military industrial complex.
Israel holds the key to defunding the entire global military complex. The growing public outrage against that genocide is inspiring a massive global anti-war movement. The success of Zohran Mamdani in a recent primary to elect the next mayor of New York, is evidence of a growing understanding in that city regarding the racism that underpins Zionism.
Several courageous people spoke out at a recent event in the European parliament; all of them demanding unequivocally that Israel be held accountable. Jeffrey Sachs is illuminating many audiences about the dynamics of wealth and power that facilitate the genocide in Israel.
Many Jewish leaders are speaking out against the racist ideology of Zionism. At the first ever anti-Zionist Jewish conference, Rabbi Yaakov eloquently explains the flaw in the ideology that underpins Israel. Israel is a tiny patch of land already operating in deep ecological overshoot. There is no way that Israel could accommodate all the Jews from the diaspora.
Francesca Albanese’s latest report focuses on the economics that drives the genocidal operation. In this interview she mentions that the Israelis are also traumatised in this conflict; this is reflected in a rising number of suicides of Israeli soldiers who are struggling to accept their part in the unchecked killing of civilians and children.
Nationalism is not helpful, it evokes racism and eugenics
Politicians often talk about the need to reduce immigration whilst simultaneously encouraging increased National birth-rates. This approach always brings undertones of racism, eugenics, and power-seeking; because it divides humanity into ‘us’ and ‘them’. Nationalism will not help us to address the global existential crises that we have created; certainly not the violent type of isolationism that Trump’s Alligator Alcatraz represents.
Universal Basic Provision
In the modern world, most of the work that we do is ecologically damaging. If we can deliver the minimum requirements for wellbeing to everyone, that will release them from the need to serve the coercive-consumerism that a growth economy demands. The Japanese author and environmentalist Masanobu Fukuoka, author of the ‘One-Straw Revolution’, once said this: I do not particularly like the word ‘work’. Human beings are the only animals who have to work, and I think that is the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Universal Basic Provision will break through the power wielded by employers and the big corporations. Once this power is removed our chosen work can reflect what we collectively wish to achieve. A concept of a Global Aspiration for Ubuntu can guide us when choosing priorities.
Using its own currency, a global Ubuntu economy could grow itself in parallel to the existing global economy. It could invite any country or any organised group of people to join, for example: a university, a corporation, or a village.
Within an Ubuntu economy, goods and services considered non-essential could be excluded. The Ubuntu trade would cover essential needs and anything that is deemed useful for minimising consumption per capita, minimising birth rates, maintaining emotional resilience with minimal eco-cost, and helping ecosystems to recover from the damage that humans have inflicted upon the natural environment. There are some further ideas in my article about Universal Basic Provision.
Cross-party emergency governments
In the second world war, the UK operated under an emergency cross-party government, and food was rationed. We are in a planetary emergency right now, so any country would be justified in declaring an emergency. Donald Trump has already demonstrated the extent of change that can be achieved within a short time using this approach; but his actions do not represent both parties. This research paper looks at rationing as a means to mitigate climate change.
When declaring a climate-emergency government and starting an Ubuntu economy, relevant countries could offer a public apology for historically exploiting resources unfairly. This would go a long way to healing international relationships. Education, media, judiciary, and finance will all need to be changed to become appropriate for an economy that is endeavouring to work within the available ecological budget.
Local empowerment is essential; the work of economist Elinor Olstrom reveals that self-governance and community-based management are the wisest approach to sustainably manage locally shared resources.
Campaign for a fair ecological footprint
Jan Juffermans from the Dutch Platform for a Fair and Green Economy describes the need for ‘fair Earth shares for all’. Juffermans is in ongoing discussions with The World Federalist Movement and representatives from MEGA (Mobilising an Earth Governance Alliance).
These ideas align with my own broader concept of a Global Aspiration for Ubuntu. If ratified, the Global Aspiration would serve as a formal expression by the United Nations of the global desire to return within the limits of Earth whilst sharing resources fairly. The concept was submitted to the United Nations High Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism in a short paper ‘A Framework for Maximum Mitigation’.
Tipping Points
Numerous tipping points are now being reached, in the climate, in the environment, in our financial system, and within society itself. A sobering article from bne IntelliNews reveals that the Southern Ocean current reverses for first time, signalling risk of climate breakdown. The existential tipping points are adding fuel to all the social movements that are rising up, like the No Kings protests, and the Free Palestine demonstrations.
Exeter University have recently hosted a conference on the global tipping points. The Council for Human Future have identified ten megarisks that we now face. Some economists have published research demonstrating that it is not possible to decouple emissions from GDP growth.
The zeitgeist is right for radical change on a global scale.
Related Article — The Degrowth Debate
This article is a reframing of my previous article The Degrowth Debate. The change in framing arose from a detailed critique that was provided by another author, Red Slider. I hope that the reframing is appealing to my readers. Red suggested that we need an appealing term that captures the spirit of the Degrowth movement. I have used the concept of Ubuntu in this way at times in the preceding sections, and in the final sections that follow. I hope that the concept helps Degrowth to gain a broader appeal.
Getting Involved
If you are on social media, it is easy to get involved in the evolution that is underway. Start sharing out-of-the-box ideas with friends and colleagues. You will soon discover other people who are thirsty for a new direction. But you may encounter the phantoms that keep us stuck in business-as-usual as described in this webpage: Phantoms — Me Or Us: The Thrutopian Path.
Envisaging an evolving Ubuntu economy
When a group chooses to participate in the Ubuntu economy they would agree to targets relating to population size and consumption per capita over time. In impoverished areas the target consumption per capita would be higher than the levels before joining. Population targets will usually be lower, but if there is significant infrastructure available then one area might accommodate immigration from another area that is struggling.
A newly joined group will bring more human resources and assets to contribute to achieving the shared aspiration. The targets will vary depending on the biocapacity of their locality and the nature of their organisation. In return, all the individuals within the group are entitled to basic provisions, food, water, shelter, and temperature mitigation (i.e. air conditioning or heating).
The job of setting targets for a new Ubuntu group is very specialised. Mathis Wackernagel is the leading light in this area and has written extensively about assessing resource depletion and measuring biocapacity. There will be many new jobs requiring this type of expertise to set feasible targets for new joiners, and to monitor whether their targets are achieved. It will be an evolving learning curve as we all learn from experience. Bhutan offers a model of sustainability that may help others learn.
The people in any group that elects to join the Ubuntu economy may be directly involved in producing some of their own basic provision. This will depend on the nature of each group and the skills and assets that they are bringing into the Ubuntu economy. Some large companies may decide to participate. Companies like Google, Amazon and Meta could play a key role in the delivery and re-education involved. Universities can be involved in all aspects of restructuring our society. Once the wealthy recognise that the survival of our species is a stake, they will want to help.
If a group fails to meet their targets through negligence, then the Ubuntu economy is not obliged to deliver any more basic provision than was originally anticipated in the agreed targets. Targets will be regularly reviewed and monitored, so that we work to redistribute resources in a way that is most helpful to achieve our shared aspiration to return within Earth’s limits.
If a group proves itself not to be committed to the global Ubuntu aspiration, it might need to be excluded from the new economy. As time goes by, any groups that remain outside the Ubuntu aspiration may come to be seen as a serious threat to the survival of the species. This would happen if their behaviour has a very high ecological footprint.
Steering into a wiser direction
The USA, UK, Europe, and Israel all represent a very high ecological threat at the moment because they are expanding the military industrial complex. I am hoping that these countries will soon see the error of their ways and unite to steer the world into a wiser direction. They all have high ecological footprints per capita, and most of them are exceeding the biocapacity within their borders. See final image below, showing that the UK is operating at four times the available biocapacity.
The majority of humanity are engaged in activities that relate to growth economics. Whilst that remain the case, we are all posing a threat to the survival of our own species.
We are at a pivotal point in our history. Can you help us to steer into a wiser direction?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barbara Williams lobbies the UK government to consider a paradigm shift to show humility and embrace Degrowth objectives. She is the author of Scientists Warning — A Roadmap to Ecological Justice. She has been actively working in the field of altruistic degrowth for several years, and most of her work is accessible from her Poems for Parliament website.
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