The 3 conclusions of “The Limits to Growth”

1. The planet is small (Resource constraints are likely within 100 years if growth continue)

2. Overshoot is likely (Current systems of governance are likely to allow human activity to grow beyond the finite carrying capacity of the planet)

3. Once in overshoot, physical contraction is unavoidable (Either managed or by the forces of nature or the market)

What should be done? – Realistically

1. Further slow population growth Give moral support to women with < 2.1 children Increase the pension age Explain that support burden will stay constant

2. Cut CO2 emissions – first in the rich world Subsidize energy efficiency in all sectors Build no new fossil capacity in the rich world Introduce a high carbon price

3. Reduce poverty in the poor world Use most development aid to build renewable energy capacity Copy the rise of Japan, South Korea, and China –and their use of strong government

4. Reduce the ecological footprint of the rich world Legislate more compulsory vacation Give each person the right to a certain amount of paid work (“ration paid work”)

5. Temper national short termism Establish a global agreement where all nations promise to emit less CO2 than the US Evolve IPCC to IPCC3 (funded to execute the most effective cuts)

6. Reduce the focus on income growth Start measuring change in well - being alongside change in GDP

Professor Jørgen Randers BI Norwegian Business School

Oslo, Norway

See more @ www.2052.info

Links:

www.bi.edu www.si.edu www.climatestrategies.us