Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Today I’m talking with Julia Steinberger, professor of ecological economics at the University of Leeds and a member of the intergovernmental panel on climate change – the IPCC.
Here’s an introduction to steady-state economics: lowimpact.org/lowimpact-topic/steady-state-economics
Here's a transcript of the interview, with links to organisations mentioned in the video: lowimpact.org/biodiversity-loss-economic-growth-julia-steinberger/#comment-7251
We’re interviewing key players in the new economy, to:
a) bring their work to a wider audience
b) try to find ways to co-ordinate their efforts
c) stimulate debate
d) help to build the new economy.
Here’s what we mean by new economy - lowimpact.org/lowimpact-topic/new-economy
Lowimpact.org: lowimpact.org
Julia Steinberger: environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/1553/professor-julia-steinberger
Living Well Within Limits: twitter.com/liliproj
Highlights
1. So the idea was that if we use the term ‘sustainable development’ and talk about ‘green growth’, ‘decoupling’ etc. then we won’t have a fight. We’re not in a strong position as environmentalists. Let’s not go out and seek that fight. We might not win. Let’s just be nice to everyone. I think that framing, in hindsight, was kinda disastrous.
2. If we want to take biodiversity loss seriously, we have to accept that it’s driven by economic growth.
3. So we’re learning to tell the story of how growth is economically, socially and environmentally disastrous, but we’re not telling it fast enough.
Today I’m talking with Julia Steinberger, professor of ecological economics at the University of Leeds and a member of the intergovernmental panel on climate change – the IPCC.
Here’s an introduction to steady-state economics: lowimpact.org/lowimpact-topic/steady-state-economics
Here's a transcript of the interview, with links to organisations mentioned in the video: lowimpact.org/biodiversity-loss-economic-growth-julia-steinberger/#comment-7251
We’re interviewing key players in the new economy, to:
a) bring their work to a wider audience
b) try to find ways to co-ordinate their efforts
c) stimulate debate
d) help to build the new economy.
Here’s what we mean by new economy - lowimpact.org/lowimpact-topic/new-economy
Lowimpact.org: lowimpact.org
Julia Steinberger: environment.leeds.ac.uk/see/staff/1553/professor-julia-steinberger
Living Well Within Limits: twitter.com/liliproj
Highlights
1. So the idea was that if we use the term ‘sustainable development’ and talk about ‘green growth’, ‘decoupling’ etc. then we won’t have a fight. We’re not in a strong position as environmentalists. Let’s not go out and seek that fight. We might not win. Let’s just be nice to everyone. I think that framing, in hindsight, was kinda disastrous.
2. If we want to take biodiversity loss seriously, we have to accept that it’s driven by economic growth.
3. So we’re learning to tell the story of how growth is economically, socially and environmentally disastrous, but we’re not telling it fast enough.
