We're facing the biggest contradiction of our time: economic growth is destroying our planet, but stopping growth could potentially devastate human welfare. With 6 of 9 planetary boundaries already breached, we need to resolve this paradox now. 

At our recent panel organized by SEEP students in partnership with Degrowth Vienna and STaR on June 11, experts from academia, politics, and grassroots organizations discussed the science, policy, and practice behind both growth and degrowth perspectives on sustainable futures. The speakers dispelled common misunderstandings about the science of macroeconomics and presented the latest research on decoupling, social metabolism, and alternative economic models such as Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). 

Invited panelists:

• Jesus Crespo-Cuaresma, Professor for Macroeconomics at WU, STaR Faculty Member

• Elisabeth Götze, Member of the Parliament, The Greens

• Anke Schaffartzik, Ecological Economist, CEU

• Logan Strenchock, Environmental and Sustainability Officer, CEU

• Colleen Schneider, Ecological Economist, WU