Growth, Degrowth, and the Use of Natural Resources

Speaker: Dr Conor Walsh

Affiliation: Columbia University

Location: Room 104, Chamberlain Building (#35), St Lucia Campus

Zoom: https://uqz.zoom.us/j/89790507770

Abstract: Use of material resources in the US grew strongly in the first part of the twentieth century, before beginning to decline after 1970. This decline was widespread, occurring across energy inputs, metals, construction inputs, and biological materials. Using a parsimonious growth model, I show that over half of this decline came from material-saving technical change, spurred on by high energy prices. The remainder was due to slowing goods expenditure with rising incomes, and a measure from foreign trade. I discuss the possibilities for continued degrowth in material inputs in the coming century.