Economic growth is still heating the planet. Is there any way out?

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 19:25:58 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2026/feb/09/economic-growth-carbon-emissions-impact-global-heating>

"In 1960, global GDP per capita was just under $500.

Meanwhile, the world was emitting 17 gigatonnes of CO₂ a year.

Within three decades, GDP per capita had increased tenfold – but CO₂ emissions
had practically doubled.

Major economic crises halted these rises, but only temporarily.

As of 2024, global living standards – as measured by GDP – are at a record
high.

But this has come at a cost – annual carbon emissions of over 40 gigatonnes,
another record.

This trade-off poses an urgent question to scientists and economists alike.

Can we still grow without heating the planet?"

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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