The Growth-Environment Debate An Introduction

About this book

In this timely book, Ryan M. Katz-Rosene expertly explains the origins and evolution of the debate surrounding the growth–environment relationship. He explores why some see economic growth as the best means to achieve sustainability while others see growth as the cause of humanity's present ecological crisis.

The Growth-Environment Debate covers economic, population, and material growth, and their turbulent relationship with environmental sustainability. Katz-Rosene identifies five distinct competing discourses, each of which presents different interpretations of the growth–environment relationship, detailing their core claims, arguments, and sets of proponents. Drawing on ecological political economy and discourse analysis, the book enables readers to situate their own ecopolitical economic views within the great growth–environment debate.

This book is an essential read for students, scholars, and researchers of environmental economics, politics, and sociology. It is also valuable for policymakers wanting to learn about the complexities of the relationship between growth and sustainability, providing a detailed understanding of diverse perspectives on the issue.

Contents

Preface

1. Introduction to The Growth-Environment Debate
2. Growth is Green: market ecology and roll-back neoliberal environmentalism
3. Growth Can Be Green: Natural Capitalism and Ecomodernism(s)
4. Growth Misses the Point: Steady State and A-growth
5. Overthrowing growth: Eco-Marxism and the growth of Degrowth
6. The Damage of Growth is Done: neo-Survivalism, Human Ecology, and Deep Adaptation
7. Conclusion: the great gamble

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Biography

Ryan M. Katz-Rosene is an Associate Professor at the School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa, Canada.