First Advisor

Cesar M. Rodriguez

Date of Award

Spring 6-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics and University Honors

Department

Economics

Language

English

Subjects

degrowth, climate change, GDP, inequality, work time reduction

DOI

10.15760/honors.1561

Abstract

Climate change is an issue of great magnitude facing the world, and communities are already feeling its effects, especially the most vulnerable. As the planet warms, it threatens to upend global ecosystems, from the oceans to the forests to the earth's atmosphere. Furthermore, the strains climate change places on the earth are a threat to global economic systems as erratic weather damages cities and creates an increasingly unstable agricultural system. However, these changes to the climate are due to anthropogenic impacts, meaning humans have caused this issue. This uniquely positions humans to create a structure to slow and eventually reverse the damage created by climate change. One strategy proposed is degrowth. Degrowth proposes refocusing GDP growth as a goal as it is incompatible with planetary boundaries. Growth in GDP does not necessitate a reduction in inequality, nor has there been a decoupling of GDP growth to material use. Instead, it proposes reducing energy and material consumption through policies and taxation targeting the most polluting industries and the wealthiest members of society. The collected taxes are then redistributed into public programs to provide a base level of well-being so everyone can thrive. As production slows, degrowth offers strategies, including work time reductions, work-sharing, and a government-sponsored job guarantee to ensure full employment as the economy transitions.

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Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/42162

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