Economic growth—the continual increase in the size of a country’s economy—has become almost synonymous with progress. When growth is strong, a nation feels prosperous. When growth falters or reverses in times of recession, war or pandemic, politicians quake.
But economic growth has historically come with a matching carbon price-tag. The challenge for the modern world is to reconcile economists’ belief in the primacy of growth, with the planet’s ever-dwindling carbon budget.
The recent Inflation Reduction Act gives a multi-billion dollar boost to renewable energy, promising a brighter future where new technologies deliver economic growth and lower prices, without the climate consequences. But how realistic is that?
• • •
Prosperity grows on energy and the world needs more of both
1. Energy ends poverty. All around the world, and through human history, energy use has increased in lockstep with economic growth. The more productive a society becomes, the more energy its economy demands. Since the Industrial Revolution, that energy has come from fossil fuels, and continues to lift billions out of poverty—with more than 140 million entering the global middle class every year.
2. But we still live on a carbon planet. Even with some nations starting to get serious about transitioning to renewable energy, the planet remains highly reliant on coal, oil, and gas. Fossil fuels as a share of global energy production peaked at 68% in 2007, and have only declined to 62% last year. The evidence suggests carbon will be powering economic growth for decades to come.
• • •
The world needs more energy not more carbon
1. There is nothing inevitable about our society’s carbon use. The Inflation Reduction Act aims to boost America’s economy and rejigger USA society to run on renewables, with a broad package of incentives, spanning the economy from consumers to industry to government. If it succeeds, it could reduce US carbon emissions by 40% by 2030—although this won’t be easy.
2. Unhitching progress from carbon. Some countries have already broken the link between economic growth and emissions—a process called decoupling. Over 30 countries have absolutely decoupled emissions from economic growth since 2005, reports the Breakthrough Institute. That is to say, their GDP increased even as their carbon emissions fell. The list includes both highly developed countries like Denmark and the UK, and up-and-comers like Romania and Jamaica.
3. Perhaps energy efficiency can break the cycle. Even the connection between energy (regardless of its source) and growth is up for grabs. By embracing efficiency, Sweden’s GDP grew by over 50% since 1995, even as its energy use per capita declined by more than 10%. However, whether other countries—and particularly the rapidly growing and developing “global middle”—can emulate these achievements has yet to be proven. |
“We MUST respect this earth - it is all we have
Claudio Dametto - South Australia
“I will always Vote to Preserve Our World.
Liam McGregor - Western Australia
“A simple message that even a politician can understand
Felicity Crombach - Victoria
“Please show you care about our future generations!!
Phil Harmer - New South Wales
“Save our world , Life & health before profits.
Kerry Lillian - New South Wales
“Close down all coal mines and Do not mine gas . Make these Companies
Daniel Johnson - New South Wales
“We want carbon free energy!
Edan Clarke - New South Wales
“Feels good to be taking a voter action step
Beaver Hudson - New South Wales
“Great Initiative. Let’s Hold elected officials Accountable to their bosses, us!
John Paul Posada - New South Wales
“We need actions not words we need honest democratic govt We need a pm
Bob Pearce - South Australia
“Thank you for this great resource. I was feeling helpless. Even this small step
Silvia Anderson - Victoria
“If political parties continue receiving political donations, we will rarely have politicians working for
Dan Chicos - New South Wales
“I only vote for people who will take urgent action to restore a safe
Susie Burke - Victoria
“Current government is not representing the opinion of the majority of Australian to meet
Neil Price - Tasmania
“We are fighting to rescue our kids' future from those who seek to steal
Vanessa Norimi - Queensland
“No time to waste Now or Never My vote is for NOW
Rosalie White - Victoria
“I am only 9 but I already care
Ava Bell - New South Wales
“From New Lambton Uniting Church - Caring for our world is a moral imperative.
Niall McKay - New South Wales
“Our federal govt is an International climate Embarrassment - its about time they stepped
Oriana Tolo - Victoria
“Vote earth this time!
Sue Cooke - Queensland
“We are in one on the wealthiest countries in the world. we have the
rowan huxtable - New South Wales
“The climate Emergency is the public health opportunity and urgent priority of the 21st
Mike Forrester - Victoria
“If they want my vote they better act now
Barbara McNiff - New South Wales
“We need to act locally now for the earth. Our only home. Vote Earth
Anne Miller - New South Wales
“I often look at the places I've known all my life and see how
Jim Baird - New South Wales
“Strike one For people power!!! Democracy might prevail outside the current cronyism that faces
Lorraine Bridger - New South Wales
“Our federal politicians Are Afraid to make action on climate change a major election
Jennifer Martin - New South Wales
“climate election, let's go!
Fahimah Badrulhisham - New South Wales
“Great to see this website that is a focus on action for climate change
Lynette Sinclair - New South Wales
“Let’s show politicians and the Murdoch media that climate change is by far the
Jane Aitken - Australian Capital Territory
“If you want to stay in power You need to take action to stop
Jane Bulter - New South Wales
“We are all that stands between terminal climate change and the vulnerable. We are
Carol Khan - Queensland
“We need a Government that Believes this is real and not taking money from
Ken Gray - New South Wales
“I'm voting for my childrens future
Anneliese Alexander - New South Wales