In the spring of 2020, people worldwide found themselves confined at home in response to pandemic lockdown orders. Global carbon emissions suddenly plunged 8.8 percent. Air and noise pollution levels plummeted, and streams, rivers, and lakes noticeably became cleaner. Animal life quickly filled spaces that humans had deserted. Scientists documenting how quickly nature flourished in response to less human activity called the phenomena an 'anthropause.' For a moment, humanity witnessed the beauty of degrowth. In Anthropause, Stan Cox writes that by embracing degrowth, we are not turning our backs on progress. Instead, we are redefining it. We can produce enough goods to satisfy everyone's needs, Cox argues, while liberating ourselves from ecocidal economies and the injustices they impose. This book lays out a clear vision of what we will gain and how as we embrace this revolutionary transition. We are seeing climate change happening all around us; 2024 was the hottest year on record. Storms are stronger, droughts are longer, and wildfires are everywhere. As we approach the tipping point toward irreversible climate catastrophe, it's clear that we must accept that endless expansion is destructive and reverse it through degrowth. Anthropause shows us how we and the living world will flourish if we succeed.
