ABSTRACT
Given the mounting evidence that our current system is in crisis, and more specifically that never-ending economic growth is an unrealistic and dangerous goal, degrowth is receiving increasing levels of attention. Degrowth offers an alternative with the potential to help address our environmental crisis and increase social justice and well-being. In many ways degrowth is utopian, yet as Martinez-Alier explains, it is a concrete utopia: degrowth is scientifically informed and possible. Giorgos Kallis, one of degrowth’s most vocal advocates, defines degrowth as “an equitable down-scaling of production and consumption that increases human well-being and enhances environmental conditions.” Barcelona, Spain, has emerged as the epicenter for current degrowth research, education, and activism: the Autonomous University of Barcelona is home to prominent degrowth scholars and now offers a graduate program in degrowth.
