Book SummarySlow Down, by Kohei Saito

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Slow Down

The environmental emergency and the inadequacy of so-called "green growth" strategies.

Saito argues that the widely accepted strategies known as "green growth," which claim to tackle climate change within the existing capitalist structure, actually fall short and carry considerable dangers. Proponents frequently endorse the notion that economic growth can be decoupled from environmental damage, thus fostering a sustainable form of capitalism. The overly positive viewpoint does not adequately comprehend the inherent traits of the climate crisis and capitalism.

Advocates of Green Keynesianism fall short in effectively addressing the crisis of climate change with their promotion of "green growth."

Advocates of Green Keynesianism champion significant investment in environmentally sustainable technologies and infrastructure to stimulate economic growth while transitioning to an ecologically conscious framework. Saito contends that such an approach fails to address the fundamental clashes intrinsic to capitalism that drive the climate crisis. He argues that environmental degradation is inextricably linked to economic growth, and that a sole focus on technological innovation fails to address the social and political issues involved in creating a truly harmonious relationship with nature.

Decoupling economic progress from its ecological repercussions is a considerable challenge when put into practice.

The pursuit of using cutting-edge technologies to sever the link between economic growth and environmental pressure is referred to as decoupling. Saito argues that the concept of relative decoupling, which suggests that mitigating environmental harm through enhanced efficiency can slow ecological degradation, falls short of addressing the urgent climate crisis. He emphasizes the necessity of maintaining economic growth while reducing overall resource consumption and emissions. However, he argues that achieving the level of detachment required to meet scholarly goals is extremely unlikely within the framework of a market-driven economy, a claim that is backed by strong empirical evidence and an examination of historical trends.

Saito points out that even when some developed countries appear to be achieving decoupling by transitioning to renewable energy and improving efficiency, this often comes at the cost of increased resource extraction and pollution in the Global South, where production has been outsourced. He describes this tendency as "recoupling," which typically leads to the transference of environmental impacts instead of realizing true reduction in the attempts to render capitalism more eco-friendly. The author underscores the challenge posed by the intensifying consumption of energy and resources, which is propelled by economic growth, necessitating sophisticated technological interventions that ultimately clash with the finite limits of the environment, resulting in a barrier too formidable to overcome for sufficient disengagement.

Context

• Economists distinguish between absolute decoupling, where economic growth occurs with a total reduction in environmental impact, and relative decoupling, where the rate of environmental impact growth is slower than the rate of economic growth.
• Addressing the climate crisis may require systemic changes beyond technological improvements, such as shifts in consumption patterns, economic structures, and societal values towards sustainability.
• Alternative economic models, such as degrowth or steady-state economies, propose reducing consumption and focusing on well-being rather than continuous growth, challenging traditional economic paradigms.
• Scholarly goals often refer to ambitious targets set by environmental scientists and economists, such as achieving net-zero emissions or drastically reducing resource use to sustainable levels. These goals require systemic changes that may conflict with the inherent growth-oriented nature of market economies.
• This phenomenon occurs when efforts to reduce emissions in one country lead to an increase in emissions in another, often due to the relocation of industries. This undermines global efforts to combat climate change.
• Addressing recoupling requires international cooperation and policies that ensure environmental standards are maintained globally, not just shifted geographically.
• The Earth's ecosystems have finite limits in terms of resource availability and the ability to absorb waste and emissions. Exceeding these limits can lead to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
• Many technologies depend on rare earth elements and other materials that are environmentally damaging to extract, leading to habitat destruction and pollution.

Simply transitioning to renewable energy and incorporating electric vehicles falls short of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It is unquestionably critical to shift from fossil fuels and choose electric vehicles instead of those that run on gasoline. Saito contends that such changes, by themselves, fall short, especially when the fundamental capitalist drive for perpetual expansion persists. He references the phenomenon where enhanced efficiency can counterintuitively result in higher consumption levels, thereby exacerbating environmental strain. The energy consumption of televisions may rise with the acquisition of more or larger models, even though these appliances have become more energy-efficient.

The progression of eco-friendly technologies often results in significant environmental damage, such as the extraction of rare minerals and the deforestation for bioenergy production, among other effects. Saito emphasizes the moral and environmental wrongdoings associated with the procurement of lithium from Chile and cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo, both critical materials for manufacturing batteries used in electric cars. He argues that relying on techno-optimism...

Slow Down Summary Marx's viewpoint on communism, integrating ecological considerations and avoiding a Eurocentric viewpoint, offers a possible solution to the environmental crisis.

Saito suggests that a solid understanding of the climate crisis and the development of appropriate responses are grounded in the knowledge gleaned from the latter writings of Marx. He disputes the common perception that Marx's focus was solely on economic growth and the progression of technology. He depicts Marx as a person profoundly engaged with ecological issues, committed to upholding values of fairness in both society and the natural world. Marx also distanced himself from the often-assumed Eurocentric viewpoint, embracing a perspective on historical development that recognizes multiple trajectories and emphasizes solidarity with countries in the southern hemisphere.

Marx's later writings transcended the limitations of a viewpoint that was centered on Europe and production.

Saito argues that a thorough analysis of Marx's lesser-known texts and annotations from his final period, now more available through the MEGA project's comprehensive compilation of his works, reveals a notable shift in his viewpoint. This shift indicated a transition from his early emphasis on production to a deeper engagement with ecological research, and an appreciation for the social frameworks...

Slow Down Summary A scrutiny of present approaches to tackle the climate crisis underscores the insufficiency of relying on technological advancements and the notion of hastening progress.

Saito argues that while technological progress is crucial, relying exclusively on tech-based fixes for environmental challenges is a misguided and potentially perilous approach. He provides a thorough examination of the belief that embracing a form of capitalism that prioritizes environmental concerns, along with the forward-thinking notion that accelerating development will result in true sustainability, emphasizing that this perspective fails to consider the substantial social and political obstacles linked to it. He further interrogates the top-down, state-centric approaches that often emerge in crisis situations for tackling climate change, warning that these methods might erode democratic values and entrench the power of financial and political institutions.

Relying on the notion of eco-conscious capitalism and its related technological tactics poses certain challenges.

Kohei Saito questions the capability of capitalist market solutions to tackle climate change and underscores the necessity for policy changes and technological innovations. Saito argues that while such steps are crucial, they fail to address the root causes of our current environmental crisis and might...

Slow Down Summary Embracing the tenets of "degrowth communism" provides a viable approach to tackling climate change, incorporating its core concepts and implementable measures.

Kohei Saito advocates for a societal framework that emphasizes collective ownership and participatory democracy, with the aim of confronting the ecological crisis and securing a future that is equitable and maintains environmental sustainability. He outlines the fundamental components of this concept and illustrates a variety of practical instances that are currently in practice.

The fundamental components of a belief system centered on restraining the expansion of the economy and embracing communist principles.

Communism, which calls for a reduction in economic activities, seeks to transform not only our economic framework but also our views on work, consumption habits, and the relationship between communities and the environment. The endeavor is transformative, necessitating a profound change in values and dedication to creating a community founded on reciprocal support and cooperative effort.

Our economy needs to shift its focus to value the benefits of use over the relentless pursuit of expansion and accumulation.

A core principle of degrowth communism emphasizes the inherent value of goods and services rather than their market exchange value. Prioritizing the...