Decluttering and a degrowth economy
My column, “Letting go” where I described my efforts to whittle down my earthly belongings elicited more comments than previous pieces. I suppose people within my age and social group empathize with my attempt to reorganize my life by decluttering – either by selling or donating possessions that had given me much satisfaction over the years.
Some have been “let go” more easily than the others which have sentimental value. The latter are often accompanied by a lot of confusion and turmoil, as we had grown attached to them. Suddenly, we realize that we can’t take them with us when we take our final leave.
I tested my willpower the other day when my caregiver and I spent a few hours shopping. It turned out to be more of “window shopping” as we ended up buying primary necessities – replenishment of meats, fish, fruits, and other produce. We breezed through several stores, but I did not buy a single thing. How I was able to resist the temptation was to me a much welcomed surprise.
Degrowth is a movement propelled by the knowledge that we need to understand that earth has limits, that we need to transform our lifestyle and practices knowing the fragility of our physical resources.
Which is why there are groups in our societies that have decided to practice personal commitments like taking walks, riding bikes, taking public transportation, repairing, or passing on old clothes, and re-using materials.
Some of them have organized food cooperatives and collective gardens. They have reduced their production and consumption. They are people who subscribe to a life of “frugal abundance,” “convivial technology,” and “caring and care economies.” They enjoy the cultural, emotional, and spiritual richness of a simple life. Degrowth supports shared ownership, non-profit cooperatives, co-housing, and community support agriculture.
Degrowth is seen as a solution to poverty. Many of the basic things required to live a decent life are regarded as “commons,” democratically governed, and allocated, on the basis of need. It prioritizes wellbeing before profit.
The movement was coined by an Austrianfrench social philosopher, Andre Gorz in 1972.
Environmentalists support it because it prevents climate catastrophe which could happen with unbridled economic growth.
As supporters note, it means a shrinking rather than a growing economy. It would lead to the end of gross domestic product (GDP) as a measure of economic power. It provides an opportunity to improve our lives without increasing over-use of resources and creates a new value that does not undermine the ecosystem. It is seen as a participatory form of democracy as it advocates powersharing. Supporters note that given the current socio-political and ecological crisis, degrowth promotes direct action by the people.
The movement which started 50 years ago had resurged these past 20 years. During the past decade degrowth movements were organized in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Among the avid supporters were environmentalists and climate justice advocates, minimalists who had rid themselves of material excesses, as well as advocates of an alternative economic model.