Online Expert Talk: Economic Growth vs. Climate Change - How can we prosper within the boundaries of our planet?

The past years and decades have been marked by constant warnings of irreversible environmental destruction. There is widespread consensus in the scientific community that this development is due to steadily increasing economic growth and the associated consumption of resources. Dennis Meadows' study "The Limits to Growth" was an important milestone in the sustainability debate in the 1970s. Since then, we have learnt that perpetual growth is impossible. However, not much has changed and the great challenge of creating a truly sustainable economy remains. In recent years, the research team built around the Swedish earth scientist Johan Rockström has developed a detailed model of planetary boundaries, which shows us in detail where these boundaries have already been exceeded or soon will be. Climate change is one of the biggest and most urgent challenges for humanity in the coming years.

Together with the Canadian ecological economist Peter Victor and the Austrian climate expert Helga Kromp-Kolb we raise the question for concrete solutions:

• How can we prosper within the boundaries of our planet?
• In which way do we need to shape our economic system to halt the advancing climate change?
• What are feasible strategies for a socio-ecological transformation in order to achieve long-term sustainable development for our societies?

After the experts' inputs of approx. 10 - 15 minutes each we want to discuss the topic with YOU. Let us know your questions.  Halliki Kreinin, the moderator, will pass them on to Helga and Peter. Can't wait for the event and already have some questions for our speakers? Type your questions directly at → https://app.sli.do/event/k9lxdrnt 

After the event there will be an open networking session. We keep the space open for an extra 30 minutes! You can continue the discussion and connect directly with our experts or fellow participants for quick 1 on 1 Meetings. You can also use the networking feature to connect randomly and have a quick chat!

Please register HERE.

Peter Victor is a Professor Emeritus in Environmental Studies at York University. He is author of “Managing without Growth—Slower by Design, not Disaster”. Amongst others, he was the founding president of the Canadian Society of Ecological Economics and is currently Chair of Ontario’s Greenbelt Council and member of the Centre for the Advancement of a Steady State Economy.

Helga Kromp-Kolb is a Professor Emeritus at BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna. She is an internationally recognized climate expert and initiator of the Center for Global Change and Sustainability at BOKU Vienna. Amongst others, she is a scientific consultant to the Austrian government on climate change, air pollution and nuclear risk topics.

The Expert Talk is hosted by the Alternative Economic and Monetary Systems Summer University (AEMS) and the Academy for the Common Good.