B2 – Upper Intermediate
A new school of thought is emerging. Some people think that in order to deal with climate change and other environmental issues, we need to stop the economy from growing.
This is idea is referred to as “degrowth”. “In essence, degrowth is a call for a fundamental transformation of our economic and social systems to create a more just and sustainable future.”
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the concept of degrowth.
Be ready to answer the questions that follow.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250724
Vocabulary Questions:
- Explain the concept of “degrowth”. “Some economists believe degrowth would actually make it harder to solve the climate crisis.” Use this word in a sentence.
- What is “fast fashion”? “It’s saying that we need to decrease some elements of our production that are not beneficial. An example of those elements would be fast fashion, private jets, the beef and meat industry.” Use this term in a sentence.
- What does “underestimate” mean here, “Degrowth underestimates the need for investment that we need in new technology and in new solutions.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on the idea of degrowth?
- What might be the impact/consequences of degrowth?
- Talk about some examples of degrowth initiatives.
- Share your thoughts on this, “Degrowthunderestimates the need for investment that we need in new technology and in new solutions.”
- Should we shrink the economy to save the planet? Share your insights.
- What are some things you do that you think are good for the planet?