Slow it down? A conversation about "de-growth"
Details
In a world where many people see climate change as an existential threat, there is talk of "degrowth" - intentionally slowing down the global economy so as to generate less carbon dioxide and pollution. Tonight we will be discussing this possibility and why we should be considering it, or not!
This topic was inspired by a Youtube video which my partner recommended and which I encourage you to watch:
The Degrowth Paradox
- Where and how (if at all) are countries making "degrowth" changes today?
- Is there a realistic way to both grow and decarbonize at the same time, or is some kind of unilateral degrowth inevitable? Why?
- Assuming you own one, under what circumstances would you be willing to give up your car? Why?
- Under what circumstances would you be willing to eat less red meat? Why?
- Are you intentionally doing anything to address climate change? Why or why not?
- Do you think that there is too much commotion about climate change? Why or why not?
- Assuming that it's real, do you think that there is anything that we can ACTUALLY do about climate change? Why or why not?
- Is carbon generation the real issue regarding climate change or is it something else?
- If cutting emissions is unavoidable, which parts of the economy actually should shrink and which should not? Why?
- Is climate change simply a matter of overpopulation? Why or why not?
- Is "degrowth" the wrong focus for addressing climate change? Why or why not?
- Is it reasonable to expect developing countries to just accept that they will never have the historical standard of living of developed countries? Why or why not?
- In your opinion where in the world is least affected by climate change? Why?
- Is it more important to change our construction practices or our transportation practices, or something else? Why?
- How much do politics dictate environmental progress? Why?
- Is it worth making changes if not everyone is making them? Why or why not?
- In what circumstances would you be willing to "do with less" generally? Why?
- Given the option, would you rather reduce you home's temperature by 5 degrees Celsius during the winter or give up your car? Why?
- Are you concerned that most countries are nowhere near achieving the 2030 climate goals set by the Paris Agreement in 2015? Why or why not?
- Is climate change just part of a natural environmental cycle? Why or why not?
I hope that you will join us for this discussion.
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Given the success of this format we are going to be continuing to gather via Zoom. We will be allowing up to 30 participants for this meeting and, after a brief introduction, we will be splitting off into virtual "tables" of six.
As long as you have RSVP'd before 5:30PM on the day of the event you should receive an email from Robert prior to 6:30PM giving you the Zoom meetup credentials.
*** PLEASE NOTE ***
If you are a member of Table Conversations and you didn't receive an email announcing THIS Table Conversations meetup then you likely won't receive the email with the Zoom information on the evening of the event. Please confirm that your Meetup.com profile is configured correctly by carefully following the step-by-step instructions in this link: https://www.meetup.com/tableconversations/events/270360456/
Otherwise, since I don't control Meetup's mail system, if you are not receiving notifications please contact Meetup.com for assistance.
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* Room opens at 6:45PM (often earlier) for socialization
* Discussion starts at 7:15 and finishes at 8:45ish
* Keep talking until dawn!