A degrowth trajectory towards living with Earth through a Planetary Health lens
We live in an era of accelerated crises: the ecological collapse, the recent pandemic, and the emerging conflicts in many regions of the world are only some of the threats we are facing.
These phenomena are the downstream consequences of a series of upstream drivers: the interdependent relationships between political, social, economic, and cultural powers, which influence our physical and social environments, the generation of evidence surrounding problems and their solutions, and even the public discourse.
These upstream drivers and downstream consequences also reinforce global and local inequalities and injustice, while challenging our own existence on this planet and the health of the planet itself.
Living with Earth, where humanity is only a part of the ecosystem, is not impossible, but it requires a fundamental change from our current social system: one that centres on Planetary Health and questions the feasibility of perpetual wealth accumulation, given our planet's limited resources i.e., Degrowth.
Planetary Health is a new field of study that focuses on the impacts of human disruption on Earth’s natural system on human health and all life on Earth. Although complex, the matter under study in Planetary Health is intrinsically connected to the current challenges, shifting the focus from humans to the ecosystems they are embedded to. Thus, Planetary Health is a necessary lens for analysing and understanding the upstream drivers and downstream consequences pertaining to our society.
Degrowth proposes a societal model that shifts from profit maximisation and accumulation – a direct result of the exploitation of nature and people – to the fulfilment of social needs and ecological justice.
The role of degrowth as a trajectory to live with Earth under a Planetary Health perspective will be a central theme of our summer school, guiding our discussion and learning.
Last modified: | 06 March 2024 1.51 p.m. |