️ Podcast Title: Degrowth with Sarah Ware
Episode Date: July 16, 2024
Guests: Mike Boyle (Host), Sarah Ware (Researcher and Practitioner)

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Topic: Degrowth and Sustainable Development

Introduction:
— Mike Boyle welcomes Sarah Ware to discuss the concept of degrowth and its implications for sustainable development .

Sarah’s Journey:
— Sarah shares her background in environmental planning and urban studies ️.
— Her passion for the environment started at a young age and led her to study ecological economics in Vienna .

Key Themes:

1. Embedded Economy:
— The economy is embedded in society, which is embedded in the biophysical environment .
— Modern policies often overlook this interconnectedness .

2. Challenging Growth:
— Sarah emphasizes questioning the necessity and impacts of constant development ❓.
— Understanding why we need development and for what purpose ️.

3. Conflict and Change:
— Conflict is inevitable in discussions about development and sustainability ⚔️.
— Constructive conflict can lead to better understanding and solutions .

4. Systems Thinking:
— Moving away from linear thinking to understanding complex systems .
— Recognizing the dependencies and relationships within these systems .

5. Climate Change and Pollution:
— Climate change is just one aspect; pollutants and environmental degradation are critical issues .
— There is an urgent need to address these problems through systemic changes .

6. Sufficiency:
— The concept of sufficiency is central to degrowth .
— Understanding and agreeing on what constitutes «enough» for a good quality of life .

7. Public Spaces and Urban Greening:
— The role of public spaces in fostering community and equality .
— Challenges of gentrification and ensuring equitable access to green spaces ️.

Conclusion:
— The episode concludes with a discussion on respecting nature and integrating sustainable practices into urban planning .
— Sarah and Mike highlight the importance of continuous questioning and adapting our approaches to development and sustainability .