In a recent opinion piece by Justin Dempsey of Burlington, he discusses the concept of degrowth economics and its implications for Vermont’s future. Mr. Dempsey argues that while personal growth is important, physical growth in terms of resource consumption is not sustainable. He suggests that Vermont should focus on improving the quality of its economy rather than continuing to increase its size.
Degrowth economics, according to Mr. Dempsey, is about rethinking traditional economic metrics like GDP and instead focusing on outcomes that improve quality of life and public services. He explains that degrowth is not against population growth, but rather advocates for a more holistic approach to economic decision-making that considers the relationship between resources and population.
Mr. Dempsey acknowledges the need for Vermont to grow its population, but stresses that this growth must be planned and sustainable. He highlights the importance of developing more housing to address the cost-of-living crisis in the state while also ensuring that towns have the infrastructure to support population growth.
Overall, Mr. Dempsey encourages Vermonters to have a conversation about how to use shared resources more sustainably and improve overall well-being. He believes that by focusing on quality of life and public good, Vermont can achieve sustainable abundance without relying on arbitrary material expansion.
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