cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/33984443
That pattern seems to be holding. In 2024, global GDP per capita reached a new high as did annual carbon emissions. But as climate targets slip and warnings mount that tipping points may already have been crossed, faith in growth for growth’s sake is starting to fracture.
The article spells oil conglomerates and fossil fuel lobbyist sympathisers wrong. Economic growth doesn’t cause global warming, silly AI.
Economic activity requires energy and therefore economic growth requires are growth in energy supply. It is really hard to reduce fossil fuel consumption, when you also have to meet energy demand from economic growth. If you are at all serious about stopping climate change, the only viable strategy forward is to reduce energy consumption and that basically requires shrinking the economy.