Sir David Attenborough made the news on Thursday, arguing that the excesses of western countries should “be curbed” to restore the natural world and we’ll all be happier for it. People are beginning to realise that greed doesn’t lead to joy, explained the veteran broadcaster. Perhaps most controversially, he suggested that the standard of living in wealthy nations is going to have to take a pause to allow nature to recover. That’s a familiar theme in our CUSP research of course. The possibility that we can live better, healthier and more fulfilling lives without the relentless consumption that damages the planet was one of the points of discussion when BBC presenter Nihal Arthanayake invited CUSP Director Tim Jackson and Policy Exchange analyst Benedict McAleenan to discuss the implications of Sir David’s remarks on the Radio 5 Live’s Afternoon Edition. It’s interesting to see this kind of conversation on mainstream radio now. Most surprising of all perhaps is how many people—including those texting and phoning in—now align themselves with a broadly postgrowth position. Good lives don’t have to cost the earth. It’s time for capitalism to recognise that.
The discussion can be streamed via the BBC website.
