Endless economic growth and sustainability not compatible

C

an Australians be sustainable and enjoy endless economic growth? It’s not likely.

Professor Mark
Diesendorf.

In a recent article on The Conversation, Steve Hatfield-Dodds argued that sustainability was possible in Australia without sacrificing economic growth.

He also argued the necessary policy changes would not require fundamental changes to Australians' values. This research was based on a detailed paper in Nature and modelling undertaken for CSIRO’s recent National Outlook Report.

Contrary to this pro-growth outlook, I will argue that sustainability would be almost impossible to achieve in practice without ending growth in population and consumption per person.

Read the thoughts of Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf, of the University of New South Wales, published on The Conversation - “We can achieve sustainability – but not without limiting growth.”

Prof Diesendorf is known to some in the Goulburn Valley as he spoke at a Slap Tomorrow energy forum in Mooroopna last year.