Continuing with my dismal theme, one problem with negative growth is that people lose jobs and lose the freedom of changing jobs or of moving. Shrinking economies are not just painful to those unlucky millions who become unemployed, it is actually dangerous. Rebellion and civil unrest are extremely likely in periods of continued decline, especially for countries without well developed democratic structures of checks and balances of power.
Just to add more vinegar to the mix, I believe pro-immigration is anti-green as well. Economic growth is comprised of efficiency gains and new people seeking jobs. With more people entering the work force, more resources are consumed and more damage is done.
Most self-respecting democrats and liberals tend to care about the environment and poverty, but does anyone have a solution for solving both issues? I am looking and thinking about this issue, but I cannot find a viable solution.
Energy – solar, wind and bio all require substantial inputs of resources (and continual input, if growth is to continue)
Pollution – point sources are reducible, but are not the major contributors
Materials – clothes, solar panels, computers, zero-emission vehicles, houses, etc do not lend themselves to compatibility between growth and sustainability
Economic sectors dependant on resource consumption – if we reduce mining, oil, and gas, then the economy will need to expand in other sectors
If we had a communist dictator take over the world and made everyone equally poor, equally well educated, and with equal opportunities for non-economic self-expression, then the problem would be solved. But this is like saying that all a doctor has to do is get rid of the cancer cells to cure a patient, or resource scarcity could be solved by moving a few protons and neutrons around.
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