Degrowth | Rethinking Our Production and Consumption Habits

“It’s a paradox to try to sustain infinite growth on a finite planet.”

— Jason Hickel

For a while now, I have been asking myself this: Does producing more, working more, consuming more really make us happier? Or are we just automated parts of an endless system that keeps the wheels turning?

If you are also thinking about this question, today I would like to introduce you to the idea of ​​ “degrowth”, or not growing.

This idea may sound a bit radical at first. “So, let’s not grow?” Especially in a society where words like growth, progress, and development always have positive connotations…

But let’s think about it together. What is the measure of “growth”?

Is Growth Always Good?

When it comes to economic success today, the first thing that comes to mind is: the increase in GDP (gross domestic product). This idea of ​​growth, which has its historical basis in imperialist expansion and colonialism, actually ensures the spread of the following economic paradigm: More production, more consumption, and of course, more profit.

Unfortunately, the capitalist system has presented growth to us as a necessity and an indicator of social welfare for so long. We live in a system where consumption is sanctified and growth is considered an absolute good.

But this growth:

• Destroys nature,
• Commodifies time,
• Systemizes labor exploitation,
• Reproduces crises and inequalities,
• Turns society into a hierarchical and competitive one.

Moreover, this growth itself has become a kind of addiction. States, companies and even us individuals have become unable to think of a life outside of this growth. However, there is no end to this cycle. Because the idea of ​​infinite growth on a limited planet is physically impossible anyway. :)

Let’s take a look:

• Since 1970, the world economy has grown approximately 4 times,
• But with this growth, carbon emissions have increased by 90%,
• Biodiversity has decreased by 68%,
• And most importantly, income inequality has deepened.

In other words, growth has not brought equal prosperity to everyone. We have pushed the planet’s limits, and in many places, we have even exceeded them. And while all this is happening, our happiness averages have stagnated.

So we need to ask the following question: At what cost are we growing?

What is Degrowth?

Degrowth is a comprehensive approach that proposes not only slowing down or stopping economic growth, but also radically questioning economic growth itself and transforming our lifestyles accordingly.

This approach argues that we need to rethink our production-consumption habits, our understanding of welfare, our political structures and our social priorities. It offers an alternative to a GDP-focused economic understanding, suggesting that “less” can be “better”.

• It draws attention to the fact that economic growth is no longer sustainable in terms of human welfare and planetary health,
• The destructive effects of the capitalist production-consumption model on nature,
• And the inadequacy of measuring welfare only with GDP.

And most fundamentally, this movement tells us the following: “Instead of growing the economy, let’s try to shrink life, or rather simplify it. Let’s ensure welfare not by producing more, but by living more meaningfully.”

So How?

Degrowth presents not only a “criticism” but also a proposal for a new life against the system. It emphasizes that we should evaluate the economy not only with money and profit; but also with the state of mind of the society.

“If we redefine prosperity, then wealth is not only in numbers; it is found in relationships, in nature, in the quality of time.”

— Jason Hickel

However, of course, our individual awareness is not enough for all of this. We need high-level political will and institutional changes for a major transformation. Because the essence of the system is already based on growth, and at this point, “not growing” is a political demand enough.

Let’s take a closer look at degrowth’s action plan:

Production According to Ecological Limits

Nature is not infinite. Soil, water, air and all ecosystems have a carrying capacity. These limits are now very clearly alarming.

We need to develop an approach that respects our ecological capacity with a production model that will remain within the limits of nature as soon as possible.

Green New Deal — But Without Growth

This is why a “Green New Deal” that focuses on sustainability, not growth fetishism, is necessary. Because green transformation and transition to renewable energy policies can only provide ecological sustainability independently of the growth target.

Reducing energy consumption, moving away from fossil fuels and towards the use of renewable energy sources, encouraging local production and consumption, shifting employment to green areas and expanding the use of public transportation are the priority practices that need to be implemented at this point.

New Tax Policies

Producers who are rapidly consuming resources and do not care about the future of the planet and owners of huge wealth need to take more responsibility. A new tax system is key to this.

Practices such as carbon tax, natural resource use tax and wealth tax can be powerful tools in this sense. Reducing inequality by ensuring income justice has a great impact on preventing both class conflicts and social crises.

Care-Based Economy (Care-Based Model) and Universal Care Income

On the other hand, it is important to abandon the problematic approach where the economy is defined only in terms of production and paid work and redefine it in terms of human relations, care work and social cooperation.

Ensuring that basic services (health, housing, education, care) are free and accessible to everyone and providing public support for care work (child, elderly, patient care) can be valuable steps to be taken at this point.

Strengthening Solidarity Economies

Cooperatives, community gardens, shared transportation systems… The alternative to the capitalist market is already sprouting among us.

These structures are the harbingers of not only an economic but also a social transformation. Establishing solidarity-based systems, strengthening common ownership and collective production will protect us from both crises and loneliness.

Rethinking Production and Consumption Habits

It is high time to review our consumption habits. We need to discover the possibility of a simpler life and more satisfaction with less as soon as possible.

We need to produce products that are resistant to planned obsolescence, move away from fast fashion and question our understanding of “always newer”. Quality, durability and functionality must become valuable again. We can turn to second-hand goods and support repair and renovation initiatives.

Reorganizing Life and Time

Another fundamental issue: Time.

The idea of ​​“work less, live more” is no longer a utopia. Models such as the 4-day work week, flexible working hours, shared living spaces and collective time use are being tried all over the world.

We are learning to define time not only in terms of productivity, but also in terms of belonging, meaning and value production. Reducing working hours can be a very effective solution in order to distribute labor efficiency more fairly, reduce unemployment, protect mental and physical health and increase quality of life.

The Role of the State

And of course, the state also has a role to play in making all of this happen. The free market cannot solve every problem. In Gramsci’s words, the state should transform not only through “persuasion” but also through “coercive interventions” when necessary.

Public investments, social services, strategic guidance… Transformation will remain only as an intention unless the state becomes an active subject.

So What Can We Do?

Individually:

• Questioning and limiting consumption habits: Adopting a need-based consumption style in areas such as clothing, electronics, meat; asking the question “Is it my need or my desire?” before shopping.
• Preventing food waste and producing your own food: Planning your shopping, using leftovers, engaging in balcony gardening, composting, and fermented food production.

• Prefer local, seasonal and ethical products: Reduce the carbon footprint of food transportation; choose brands that support fair trade and share their production processes transparently.
• Support local producers, community-supported agriculture and solidarity networks: Protect both nature and labor by participating in neighborhood markets, local cooperatives and CSA systems that establish direct relationships with producers.
• Prefer public transportation, cycling and walking: Reduce our carbon footprint by changing our transportation preferences.
• Save energy and turn to renewable resources: Switch to systems such as solar panels, reduce energy use at home.
• Embrace a culture of recycling, reuse and repair: Separate waste, compost, repair broken items, share or swap items we don’t need.
• Develop self-sufficiency skills: Increase independence with skills such as sewing, canning and preparing natural cleaning products.
• Explore alternative lifestyles and simplify: Examine models such as permaculture, communal living and time banks; support mental simplification with digital detox.
• Participating in community-based cultural production: Both nourishing oneself and connecting with the community through book clubs, film screenings, and workshops.
• Preserving cultural diversity and local values: Contributing to bio-cultural sustainability by preserving elements such as local languages, traditions, and cuisines.
• Developing conscious digital consumption habits: Reducing unnecessary data and energy consumption, and choosing sustainable digital tools.

Collectively:

• Building Solidarity Networks and Communities: Developing small-scale but powerful non-systemic alternatives by creating communities that produce, share and support together.
• Cooperatives and Shared Ownership Models: Strengthening economic solidarity and democratic participation by participating in cooperatives and collective ownership structures for basic needs such as food, energy and shelter.
• Building Community-Supported Shared Living and Production Spaces: Sharing resources, reducing consumption and strengthening social ties by creating shared living and production spaces.
• Community Kitchens, Clothing Sharing Closets and Swap Markets: Preventing waste and strengthening community spirit by expanding the sharing economy.

• Building Local Energy Cooperatives: Collectively using renewable resources such as solar and wind and achieving energy independence.
• Developing Local Currency and Community Credit Systems: Strengthening the solidarity economy by establishing non-monetary exchange networks and alternative economic models.
• Building Ecofeminist and Queer-Friendly Spaces: Creating inclusive and safe collective spaces where social and environmental justice intersect.
• Organizing Degrowth and Ecology-Based Public Education: Organizing seminars, public workshops and forums to spread the concept of "good life".
• Knowledge Sharing and Community-Based Organizations: Supporting a learning culture with open source content, experience transfer and collective memory production.
• Ecological-Justice-Based Clubs in Schools and Universities: Organizing student clubs and on-campus events to mobilize youth energy.
• Participating in Citizen Science Projects: Contributing to scientific studies by collecting data in areas such as biodiversity, air quality and pollution.
• Putting Pressure on Local Governments and Participating in Neighborhood Forums: Supporting nature and justice-friendly policies through petitions, campaigns and neighborhood assemblies.
• Voluntary Initiatives for the Transformation of Public Spaces: Developing community-oriented projects in public spaces such as city gardens, playgrounds and cultural centers.
• Raising Awareness with Public Art Projects: Making ecological and social themes visible with murals, street exhibitions and performances.
• Taking Part in Citizen Initiatives for Climate Justice: Connecting with global environmental and justice movements locally and participating in collective actions.

Conclusion: “Less is More”

In short, the degrowth movement does not mean giving up on economic growth; it also offers a political, social and ethical framework that aims to radically question and transform our production, consumption and lifestyle.

It measures well-being not through GDP, but through health, happiness, solidarity, ecological balance, justice and time. It seeks ways to rebuild a livable future, not to prevent crises.

In other words, this is not a call for economic collapse or poverty. On the contrary, it is a demand for a more just, more solidarity and ecologically sustainable life.

Degrowth does not mean falling behind or living in poverty. On the contrary, it means:

“More meaning with less things; more time with less work; more connection with less consumption.”

Perhaps it is high time we abandoned the idea of ​​growth that we have been taught so far. Perhaps the real issue is not growth; mature, slow down, take root…

Theoretical References and Alternative Models

• Herman Daly — Steady-State Economy: An economic system based on balance rather than continuous growth
• Jason Hickel — Less Is More: The crises of capitalism and life beyond growth and ways to develop without growth.
• **Tim Jackson **— Prosperity Without Growth: Growth is not necessary for prosperity
• Ecological Economics: An alternative economic discipline centered on ecosystem services and natural boundaries