Recently, Freddy Vega, CEO of Platzi, published a video criticizing the degrowth movement. However, his argumentation presents multiple conceptual errors that require a well-founded clarification.
What really is Degrowth?
One of Vega's main mistakes is to present degrowth as a binary concept: a country is either degrowing or it is not. In reality, it is a set of public policies and economic strategies focused on prioritizing human welfare within planetary limits.
A clear example is the Emissions Trading System (ETS) in Europe, which imposes emissions ceilings and represents a concrete action aligned with the principles of degrowth, although the countries that implement it do not label it as such. I invite you to take a look at this paper that explains which public policies are aligned with "degrowth".
Methodological Errors and Fallacies in Analysis
Vega mentions a study that suggests that 90% of academic articles on degrowth are opinions, but the study presents a methodological error known as p-hacking. Applying the same criteria to terms such as "capitalism" or "socialism" could also lead to biased results.
It is also argued that GDP growth is linearly related to well-being, ignoring Easterlin's Paradox, which indicates that beyond a certain income threshold, economic growth ceases to translate into greater happiness or quality of life.
Climate Change vs. Planetary Boundaries
Another conceptual reduction in the video is to present climate change as the only relevant environmental problem. However, the planetary boundaries framework establishes that, in addition to climate change, there are other deteriorating ecological crises, such as biodiversity loss and the disruption of biogeochemical cycles.
The North-South Relationship in the Environmental Crisis
Vega argues that emissions from production and consumption in Global North countries are similar, reducing the importance of the export ecological footprint. However, studies on material transfer show that countries in the Global South bear much of the ecological impact of Northern consumption patterns.
Degrowth Is Not Communism or Poverty
A recurring error in the video is to equate degrowth with poverty or autocratic regimes, such as North Korea. However, degrowth is based on ecological economics, which seeks to balance human development with the regenerative capacity of the planet.
Instead of shrinking the economy indiscriminately, degrowth seeks to redistribute resources and promote sustainable sectors, such as renewable energies, ensuring equity and well-being without compromising planetary boundaries.
Conclusion: Towards an Informed Debate
The debate on degrowth must be based on solid evidence and a thorough understanding of ecological crises. Instead of erroneous simplifications, it is essential to explore economic solutions that integrate social justice and environmental sustainability.
Do you think degrowth is a viable alternative for the future? Share your opinion in the comments.
