The article concludes that economic growth is not compatible with biodiversity conservation and proposes seven alternative proposals to ensure prosperity beyond growth. The studies outlines actions such as limiting commercialization of resources, restricting extractive industries, and promoting agro-ecological development.
Professor Adrian Bejan explains how the physics of spreading and growth can lead to economic downturns, but also highlights the potential for innovation and creativity to drive new growth and prosperity.
Researchers have created a 'Rosetta stone' for urban scaling, mapping out common ground between cross-sectional and temporal approaches to study city growth. The framework reveals new insights about a city's behavior, including superlinear growth in socioeconomic properties.
Researchers found that limiting temperature increase to 2°C yields economically optimal results; climate policies can balance damages and mitigation costs. The study tested various uncertainties and confirmed the 2°C limit is cost-efficient across different climate sensitivities.
Economic growth and population expansion were major contributors to China's energy-related CO2 emissions increase between 1978 and 2023. Carbon and energy intensity have slowed the growth rate of CO2 emissions, suggesting a low growth rate for future increases.
A new study published in the Cambridge Journal of Economics finds that countries taking the 'low road' to growth, like the US, experience adverse effects on wellbeing and future prosperity. In contrast, Scandinavian countries that take the 'high road' by investing in social reproduction see positive effects on human welfare.
A team of international researchers recommends establishing a global coordinating body to develop international guidelines and promoting equitable sharing of benefits in the Blue Economy. This will help ensure sustainable and inclusive development, mitigating potential harms on marine environments and human well-being.
A recent international research study published in Science Advances journal shows that environmental awareness and investments in China over the past decade have led to a weakening of the connection between economic growth and pollution. Despite this progress, major challenges remain, including increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new method to measure network changes over time, revealing key insights into the world economy's response to the 2008-2009 financial crisis. The study found significant rewiring in the global economy during this period, and its impact on countries' economic growth rates.
A mathematical model confirms that renewable energy accelerates economic growth in Myanmar, while non-renewable energy has a minimal impact. The study suggests increasing green energy use can lead to economic growth of up to 0.3 units per unit increase.
A study of dictators over 150 years shows they rarely promote strong economies and often weaken them. Autocratic leaders are found to have little influence in driving economic growth, but can significantly reduce it after taking power.
Research finds that wood products globally mitigate only 1% of annual carbon emissions, but countries with large timber industries like Sweden can offset up to 9%. Wood product carbon sequestration is sensitive to economic conditions, and the current UN guidelines create a gap in accounting for uncounted carbon.
A new study challenges the long-held assumption that cities grow in parallel, revealing a widening urban-rural divide and increased regional inequality. The research uses Swedish population registers to analyze city growth trajectories, finding that smaller cities face significant economic shocks and structural changes.
A new microgrid system designed by American and Chinese researchers promises improved stability, safety, and resilience in delivering energy. The system aligns several energy sources in parallel and uses a decentralized control algorithm to overcome the burdens of system overload and shutdown.
A study analyzed data on 2,000 coastal communities in 23 countries with substantial mangrove areas, finding that even modest coverage can protect economic activity from cyclones. The analysis estimated a permanent loss of 5.4-6.7 months' worth of economic activity for communities with minimal mangrove coverage.
A recent study by North Carolina State University estimates that US government spending on military personnel improves the American workforce, with a positive impact of $89.8 billion on the economy in 2019. This improvement is attributed to human capital investments made by the military through personnel training and education efforts.
A new study by Aalto University finds EU policies define entrepreneurship in three distinct ways: economic beneficiaries, pro-social contributors, and opportunistic operators. This ambiguity may hinder businesses and governments from tackling global sustainability issues.
A new Stanford University study reveals that global warming has increased economic inequality globally. The study shows that most poor countries are poorer without climate change, while rich countries are richer. Economic growth in tropical countries is decreased by 17-30% due to warming.
A recent study found that those who conceived months after marriage had more surviving descendants in future generations, giving them an evolutionary advantage. This shift created ideal conditions for economic growth during the Industrial Revolution, as families with moderate fecundity became the dominant population.
A new analysis by Harvard University shows that land conservation modestly increases employment rates in New England cities and towns, even when controlling for other factors. The study found small gains in median household income and population, as well as employment growth in recreation and tourism industries.
A study found that economic growth in China led to a decrease in stunting and thinness among children and adolescents, but a significant increase in overweight and obesity rates. The research suggests a need for policies promoting dietary diversity, physical activity, and health education.
Researchers found that democracies employ broad-based investment in health and human capital, leading to improved economies. Countries that have democratized within the last 60 years tend to start off slowly but eventually catch up with nondemocracies.
A study by the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) finds that technological advances in agriculture are not sufficient to address biodiversity loss, which is driven by population and economic growth. The research highlights the need for policies addressing these factors to mitigate biodiversity decline.
Research by Bocconi University finds that public debt increases the cost of capital for innovative firms, forcing them to choose only profitable projects over riskier ones, ultimately affecting national GDP growth. A high public debt can lead to a 4% decline in GDP growth after five years compared to a normal debt level.
The perception of unfair economic inequality can lead to civic unrest in the US, as seen in Ireland's past protests. In contrast, despite the controversial president and global economic impacts, there are currently no large-scale demonstrations, suggesting that the 'tinder' for protests is ready to ignite
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology suggest that prioritizing fundamental human needs over economic growth could make it easier to reduce carbon emissions. They found that meeting subsistence and protection needs takes half of the global carbon budget, while leisure and identity take most of the other half.
A new study by Bocconi University's Gianmarco Ottaviano and colleagues identifies resource misallocation as a major cause of the productivity slowdown. Misallocation is stronger within industries and geographical areas, making it essential to implement policies promoting reallocation from less productive to more productive firms.
A recent study by Prof. Natalya Ketenci found that CO2 emissions in Russia increase along with economic growth, but only up to a certain threshold, after which they decrease. The study supports the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, suggesting that cleaner technologies can sustain economic development.
A recent analysis suggests that investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure drive economic growth, while military spending has a negative impact. A budget maneuver could increase Russia's GDP by 25-35% in a single generation.
The US ranks 27th worldwide in investment in education and healthcare, a decline from 6th in 1990. China sees an increase in ranking to 44th, while nations with greater human capital improvements tend to experience faster growth in GDP.
New research suggests that high- and low-income countries will struggle to achieve environmental sustainability if current economic growth patterns continue. The study argues that restructuring the economic system is key to making development compatible with ecological sustainability.
A new study found that small farm size strongly affects the use and intensity of agricultural chemicals in China. The research suggests that addressing this issue is critical to sustainable development in Chinese agriculture. If left unaddressed, other less-developed countries may face similar health and environmental problems.
A mathematical model proposes a threshold strategy for governments to counterbalance the costs of reducing public debt. The optimal threshold is endogenously determined based on inflation levels.
Researchers found substantially higher uncertainty than assumed in current climate change studies, with a median per capita output growth rate of 2.03% per year. This new understanding of uncertainty will affect policy planning globally.
Estimates of uncertainty in long-run economic growth forecasts indicate a need for greater caution in climate policy and social programs relying on long-run growth projections. The study suggests that there is a higher than assumed probability of exceeding the highest values in greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.
A Yale-led study found that GDP remains linked to metal use even as affluence grows, with a 1% rise in GDP increasing the nation's metal footprint by 1.9%. This challenges the long-held theory that metal use plateaus when GDP reaches $15,000 per person.
A new study reveals that economic growth in developed countries may not improve human happiness, but rather erodes free goods and creates social problems. The Negative Endogenous Growth Model suggests that economic systems can produce wealth from the erosion of free goods, leading to unhappiness and excessive consumption.
The World scientists' warning to humanity has prompted global responses and endorsements, with the latest translation including Polish. The paper highlights two key areas for action: incorporating externalised environmental limits into economics and implementing higher carbon prices globally.
A no-growth economy may be more stable with fewer crashes, according to a University of Sussex study. The research challenges dominant economic thinking, suggesting that economies can be volatile even during periods of growth.
A new report highlights the need for sustainable solutions to address growing energy demands from emerging middle classes. The study finds that adoption rates of energy-efficient materials and technologies vary greatly across countries due to differences in climate, economic power, and public perception on climate change.
A study by Imperial College London found that global conservation spending of $14.4 billion over 10 years resulted in a 29% reduction in biodiversity loss among 109 countries. The analysis provides a tool for adjusting conservation budgets based on individual country needs.
A new policy proposal by Dartmouth economist Elizabeth Cascio aims to relieve the burden of child care costs on low-income families, particularly those with children under five. The proposed reform recommends replacing current federal child care tax policies with a new, refundable tax credit that would benefit lower-income families.
A new study examines the impact of rotational grazing and rest on greater sage-grouse nests, finding no significant increase in survival rates from rest periods. The research suggests that various grazing management systems can coexist with sage-grouse conservation.
Expert John Deutch argues that the US can't lower carbon emissions while growing the economy due to the Kaya Identity model. He suggests planned reductions won't be enough to avoid climate change's impact.
A large mineral sector can lead to a 'resource curse,' where the finance sector prioritizes established firms over smaller companies, hindering national economic growth. This phenomenon, studied in 70 countries, suggests that the finance sector's focus on larger companies can exacerbate the resource curse.
A study by Penn State economists found that a combination of college graduates and high-quality-of-life amenities significantly contributes to economic growth. Rural counties, which often struggle with growth, may particularly benefit from this approach.
Research from the journal Area Development and Policy highlights China's successful economic growth as a model for other developing countries. To achieve sustained growth, these countries should develop their economies according to their comparative advantages and avoid immediate exposure to international competition. However, there ar...
The study found that only half of Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies have adopted Twitter, highlighting the digital divide as a constraint. Despite this, high activity rates were observed in countries like Kenya, Indonesia, and the Philippines, suggesting potential for growth in developing economies.
Researchers found high-quality surf breaks increase local economic growth significantly, particularly after recent discoveries and during El Niño years. Destruction of surf breaks led to reduced economic growth in nearby areas.
A new study proposes 'agrowth' as a middle ground between pro-growth and anti-growth policies, aiming to reduce resistance to climate policies. The research suggests that adaptation to climate change can be achieved through flexible economic strategies, rather than relying solely on growth.
A new study reveals that preferential trade agreements can enhance global commodity trade growth, but at the cost of reducing its resilience to economic shocks. The research highlights the need for policymakers to consider both short-term and long-term growth and resilience in their decision-making.
The partnership aims to create a critical mass of expertise in key engineering areas, such as energy and advanced manufacturing. This collaboration will help the UK maintain its global standing in light of increasing international competition.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found a significant link between economic growth and deforestation in poor countries, with the effect disappearing in wealthier economies. The research used satellite data and economic data from 130 countries to make comparisons across border regions with similar geography.
The study predicts a decline in annual per capita GDP growth rate of 0.21 percentage points due to population ageing, equivalent to a 7.6% drop in average income level over the 2015-2050 period. Population ageing also leads to increased government consumption and a slowdown in productivity growth, further reducing economic growth.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that human activities have expanded at a slower rate than population and economic growth, but still have extensive environmental impacts. The research found that three-quarters of the planet is significantly altered and 97% of species-rich regions are seriously altered.
The United States can benefit from strengthening its leadership role in international economic structures and engaging with rising powers like China. The country's next administration faces crucial economic choices that will impact its power. Meanwhile, the US faces domestic weaknesses such as labor market challenges and government debt.
A new study analyzes data from 21 countries and finds a positive correlation between electricity consumption and life satisfaction in some nations, while others show the opposite relationship. The research suggests that narrowing production-consumption gaps can improve human development outcomes.
A new study by MIT scientists predicts widespread water shortages in Asia by 2050, with 1 billion more people becoming water-stressed. Economic and population growth, combined with climate change, exacerbate water-access problems.
A University of Illinois expert argues that investing in public higher education yields significant economic benefits, including tax revenues and lower welfare costs. The state's underinvestment in education could have serious implications for its fiscal health and human capital.
A researcher at the University of the Basque Country has designed an economic model that reflects a country's economic evolution better by considering the relationship between technological obsolescence and economic growth. The model suggests a positive correlation between capital depreciation and long-term growth rates in 101 countries.