What is degrowth?

Degrowth is a political, economic and social movement that questions today's economic model based on growth and ever-increasing energy and resource consumption. A growing number of scientific analyses confirm that a growth-based economic system brings irreversible environmental damage and increasing social inequality, making it neither ethical nor rational to continue in the same way.

Degrowth proposes a systemic approach to this complex problem, comprising three dimensions: reduction, liberation and visioning (the three V's). Degrowth prioritises human and natural wellbeing that does not depend on economic growth and stays within environmental limits.

Reduction

Since infinite economic growth on a planet with finite resources is impossible, the amounts of matter and energy used by over-consuming societies must decrease, especially in areas that do not meet basic human needs.

Emancipation

The need and expectation for constant economic growth disappears, making it possible to create a full life for as many people as possible within the limits of the natural environment.

Visioning

Another way is possible! Degrowth aims for a world whose main values are justice, wellbeing, sustainability, sharing, cooperation, democracy and independence. We are guardians of the planet, not its owners.

Degrowth and Estonia

Tasaarengu Eesti is a guide to degrowth for Estonian society. The key to Estonia's success is our nature and people — by caring for each other and the environment together, we can manage global polycrises, be a positive example to the rest of the world and be genuinely happy.