Reviewing The End of Growth: Adapting to Our New Economic Reality

The End of Growth: Adapting to Our New Economic Reality by Richard Heinberg, BC Canada, New Society Publishers, 2011.

I have never understood why mainstream economic theory ignored the impact of a huge population. Even as that impact has grown, classical economists continue to use outmoded theories of macroeconomics, ignore effects of the flow of capital, and refuse to acknowledge that there could be a limit to the resources so many billions of people use or need—like water. Isn’t that a requirement for life? Like air. Will they be selling clean air next?

Heinberg makes the case that we have seen the end of growth because it is doing us more harm than good. It is not a panacea for jobs and well-being. The nations that now have stable populations have an excellent opportunity to implement policies that will insure quality in living, find relief from the rat race, and enable the growth of knowledge and innovation within Earth’s limits.

In reviewing this paradigm-changing book, the most useful review I could write would be to provide a simple list of short quotes from the experts whose reviews appear in Heinberg’s book:

[He presents] “...the big three drivers of inevitable crisis—resource constraints, environmental impacts, and financial system overload...one integrated systemic problem...” Paul Gilding

“Our coming shift from quantity of consumption to quality of life is the great challenge of our generation...” John Fullerton

“The end of conventional economic growth would be a shattering turn of events—but the book makes a persuasive case...” Lester Brown

“...the beginning of a new era or progress without growth.” Herman Daly

“...analysis of the reality of ecological limits...very readable...paying attention to nuance and counterarguments.” Leslie E. Christian

“Heinberg has masterfully summarized and updated the case against economics, and its fraudulent scorecard—GDP...we all can still grow in wisdom and ...knowledge...as we transition to the Solar Age. Hazel Henderson

“...crammed full of ideas, information and perspective...for the perplexed...” James Gustave Speth

“...the sooner we have this critically needed conversation...the better...” Annie Leonard

“...clears away many...mistaken assumptions...” Bill McKibben

[He tells us that] “...the expectation of unending growth dominates public policy—and how ephemeral that goal is likely to prove.” Michael Klare