Earthlings of all Countries, Unite: Degrowth Movements and Green New Deal Policies

Author: Alec Elkin

Field of Study: Philosophy, Politics and Law; Sociology

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Will Glovinsky

Easel: 65

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: As the climate crisis worsens, with global average temperatures rising over 1.5℃ since the Industrial Revolution, thinkers have proposed radical economic solutions. Two prominent frameworks have risen in popularity recently: a Green New Deal (GND), which aims to “decouple” GDP growth from emissions through transitioning to renewable energy, and degrowth, which rejects endless economic expansion, instead embracing greater economic democracy and re-evaluating productive priorities. However, neither have been implemented fully, and both are poorly defined. This paper provides an overview of current GND and degrowth policies, and their recent successes and failures. Next, it covers potential future legislation and existing bills, like the European Green Deal. Finally, it discusses grassroots movements in both the global North and South seeking to implement these ideas. The result will be an in-depth overview of existing degrowth and GND frameworks that displays how these novel, environmentally-friendly economic plans aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.