The Only Thing Worse Than Human Extinction is Economic Recession

Did this title get your attention?
I hope so. I intended for it to be provocatively absurd for reasons that will
become apparent by the end of the post. I also intended for it to call attention
to a fundamental assumption that seems to undergird the thinking of even some
of the most intelligent individuals with regard to economic growth and climate
change mitigation. Namely, that growth in overall consumption can and in fact
must continue, and that we merely have to transition away from fossil fuel use
in order to halt and begin to remediate the effects of carbon dioxide on the
global climate.
Alright, I’ve already said a mouthful. Please allow me to take a step back and unpack what I just stated by sketching out some basic parameters and a couple of definitions: Our world population is projected to grow at about three quarters of a percent per year between now and the year 2050, at which time the earth is expected to be home to some 9.7 billion people. United NationsThe…
Alright, I’ve already said a mouthful. Please allow me to take a step back and unpack what I just stated by sketching out some basic parameters and a couple of definitions: Our world population is projected to grow at about three quarters of a percent per year between now and the year 2050, at which time the earth is expected to be home to some 9.7 billion people. United NationsThe…