Degrowth

This article explores the implications of degrowth theory for libraries and information institutions, situating librarianship within contemporary debates on ecological crisis, planetary limits, and sustainable knowledge infrastructures. Drawing on concepts associated with the degrowth movement developed by thinkers such as Serge Latouche, Giorgos Kallis, Giacomo D'Alisa, Federico Demaria, and Giorgos Kallis, the discussion connects library practice with broader critiques of economic expansion, extractivism, and the ideology of perpetual development. The analysis places libraries within the context of the Anthropocene, climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, arguing that the dominant paradigm of growth—often expressed in institutional expansion, technological accumulation, and ever-increasing information production — mirrors the unsustainable dynamics driving global socioecological instability.

Within this framework, librarianship is reconsidered as a potential site for experimenting with alternative models of knowledge organization and community engagement compatible with ecological limits. The text proposes that libraries participate actively in degrowth transitions by re-evaluating technological consumption, acquisition policies, energy use, and institutional priorities, while simultaneously fostering critical literacy, collaborative learning environments, and public debate on sustainability and socioecological transformation. By connecting library practice with emerging discussions on post-growth societies, environmental humanities, and commons-based knowledge, the analysis situates libraries as cultural infrastructures capable of supporting collective reflection and informed decision-making in the face of accelerating planetary change.

This article explores the relationship between degrowth theory and the social role of libraries, situating librarianship within broader debates on ecological limits, post-growth societies, and sustainable cultural infrastructures. Drawing on foundational contributions to the degrowth movement by scholars such as Giacomo D'Alisa, Federico Demaria, Giorgos Kallis, Serge Latouche, and André Gorz, the discussion frames degrowth as a critique of the ideology of perpetual economic expansion and as a response to the biophysical limits of the Earth system. The analysis situates this debate within the context of the Anthropocene, climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, arguing that contemporary economic models based on production and consumption growth are incompatible with planetary boundaries and social justice.

Within this framework, libraries are examined as cultural institutions embedded in the same socio-economic structures that drive ecological degradation. The article critiques superficial "green library" approaches centered on recycling or sustainability rhetoric, arguing that they often remain trapped within the broader logics of technological expansion, cultural consumerism, and globalized information markets. Instead, the discussion proposes that libraries critically reassess their infrastructures, acquisition practices, technological dependencies, and patterns of cultural consumption in order to reduce their ecological footprint while strengthening their social mission as spaces of knowledge sharing and collective reflection.

The text ultimately positions libraries as potential actors in degrowth transitions by fostering critical debate on ecological crisis, supporting commons-based knowledge practices, and encouraging community engagement with issues such as climate change, resource limits, and alternative economic models. In this perspective, libraries are envisioned not merely as repositories of cultural goods but as civic spaces capable of supporting democratic dialogue, environmental awareness, and collective experimentation with more equitable and sustainable ways of organizing knowledge and social life.

This article examines the relationship between libraries, ecological crisis, and the degrowth movement, situating library institutions within broader debates on environmental sustainability, economic limits, and social transformation. Drawing on key contributions to degrowth thought by scholars such as Serge Latouche, Giacomo D'Alisa, Federico Demaria, Giorgos Kallis, and André Gorz, the discussion frames degrowth as a critique of the ideology of perpetual economic expansion and as a response to the biophysical limits of the Earth. The analysis places these debates within the context of the Anthropocene, climate change, biodiversity loss, and global resource depletion, arguing that contemporary economic systems based on continuous growth and consumption are incompatible with ecological stability and long-term social equity.

Within this context, libraries are reconsidered as cultural infrastructures embedded in the same global networks of technological production, information circulation, and cultural consumption that contribute to environmental degradation. The article questions the effectiveness of superficial "green library" initiatives centered on recycling, sustainability branding, or environmental rhetoric, arguing that such approaches rarely challenge the deeper structural dynamics of technological dependency, expanding information production, and market-driven cultural consumption. Instead, the discussion proposes that libraries critically examine their infrastructures, acquisition practices, digital technologies, and patterns of resource use in order to reduce their ecological footprint while strengthening their role as institutions dedicated to knowledge sharing and public education.

The analysis ultimately positions libraries as potential actors in ecological transition by fostering critical reflection on environmental crises, supporting commons-based knowledge practices, and encouraging community engagement with issues such as climate change, resource limits, and alternative economic models. In this perspective, libraries are presented not merely as repositories of cultural materials but as civic spaces capable of supporting democratic debate, environmental awareness, and collective experimentation with more sustainable and equitable forms of knowledge production and social organization.

This article examines the relationship between libraries, sustainability, and the degrowth movement, situating librarianship within contemporary debates on ecological limits, environmental crisis, and the social responsibilities of cultural institutions. Drawing on foundational contributions to degrowth thought by scholars such as Serge Latouche, Giacomo D'Alisa, Federico Demaria, Giorgos Kallis, and André Gorz, the discussion frames degrowth as a critical response to the ideology of continuous economic growth and to the increasing pressure that industrial production, technological expansion, and consumer culture exert on the Earth's ecosystems. Within the context of the Anthropocene, climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, the analysis argues that cultural and knowledge institutions cannot remain isolated from the structural transformations required to address global ecological challenges.

Within this framework, libraries are examined as institutions embedded in broader economic and technological systems that shape patterns of information production, cultural consumption, and resource use. The article questions conventional "green library" initiatives that focus primarily on environmental branding or isolated sustainability measures, suggesting that such approaches rarely address the deeper contradictions between ecological sustainability and the growth-oriented logic that structures contemporary knowledge economies. Instead, the discussion proposes that libraries critically evaluate their infrastructures, technological dependencies, acquisition policies, and patterns of material and digital consumption in order to reduce their ecological footprint while reinforcing their educational and social missions.

The analysis ultimately positions libraries as potential actors in socioecological transition by supporting public debate on environmental issues, facilitating access to knowledge about ecological limits and climate change, and fostering community initiatives oriented toward sustainability, commons-based knowledge practices, and alternative economic models. In this perspective, libraries are understood not only as repositories of information but also as civic spaces capable of encouraging critical reflection, democratic dialogue, and collective responses to the environmental challenges facing contemporary societies.

This conference paper examines the relationship between libraries, ecological crisis, and the degrowth movement, situating librarianship within broader debates on environmental limits, sustainability discourse, and socioecological transformation. Drawing on key contributions to environmental thought and political ecology — including works by Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, Serge Latouche, Giorgos Kallis, Federico Demaria, and André Gorz — the discussion critiques the dominant paradigm of continuous economic growth and its environmental consequences. The analysis situates these debates within the context of the Anthropocene, climate change, biodiversity loss, and global resource depletion, emphasizing the incompatibility between the ideology of perpetual growth and the biophysical limits of the Earth system.

Within this framework, libraries are reconsidered as institutions embedded in broader cultural, economic, and technological systems that shape patterns of knowledge production, cultural consumption, and resource use. The paper critically examines mainstream sustainability discourse—particularly notions such as "sustainable development," "green economy," and "green growth" — arguing that these frameworks often fail to address the structural causes of ecological degradation. Instead, degrowth is presented as a political and cultural project aimed at the equitable downscaling of production and consumption while improving social well-being and ecological conditions.

The discussion proposes that libraries engage actively with degrowth transitions by reassessing their own institutional practices — including resource consumption, technological infrastructures, and acquisition policies — while simultaneously supporting community engagement with environmental issues. Through educational programs, collaborative initiatives, and the dissemination of knowledge about climate change, planetary boundaries, and alternative economic models, libraries can contribute to the democratization of knowledge and the development of more resilient, equitable, and ecologically sustainable societies.

This article introduces the concept of degrowth within library and information science (LIS) and examines its potential relevance for contemporary librarianship in the context of accelerating socio-environmental crises. Drawing on key contributions to degrowth scholarship by Giacomo D'Alisa, Federico Demaria, Giorgos Kallis, Serge Latouche, Jason Hickel, and Ursula K. Le Guin, the discussion situates degrowth as a socio-political and ecological critique of the dominant paradigm of perpetual economic growth. Within the broader context of the Anthropocene, climate change, biodiversity loss, and global resource depletion, degrowth is presented as a call to reduce production and consumption while pursuing social justice, ecological sustainability, and alternative models of collective well-being.

The analysis highlights the limited presence of degrowth thinking within mainstream LIS discourse, where environmental engagement has often been framed through concepts such as "green libraries," "sustainability," or the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These frameworks, while influential, are critically examined for their tendency to remain compatible with the growth-oriented logic of contemporary economic systems. By contrast, degrowth challenges the structural assumptions underlying technological expansion, cultural consumerism, and the commodification of information and knowledge. Within this perspective, libraries are reconsidered as institutions embedded in global networks of cultural production and technological infrastructure that also carry ecological and social consequences.

The article proposes that libraries engage more deeply with degrowth debates by critically assessing their institutional practices, including patterns of technological consumption, acquisition policies, and the circulation of cultural goods. At the same time, libraries are presented as potential civic spaces capable of fostering public discussion on ecological limits, resource use, and alternative economic models. Through the dissemination of knowledge, support for community initiatives, and the defense of knowledge as a common good, libraries can contribute to broader socioecological transitions and to the democratization of access to information in a world facing profound environmental challenges.

This article examines the relationship between libraries, sustainability, and the degrowth movement, situating library and information science within broader debates on environmental crisis, ecological limits, and socio-economic transformation. Drawing on key contributions to degrowth scholarship by Serge Latouche, Giorgos Kallis, Giacomo D'Alisa, Federico Demaria, and André Gorz, the discussion frames degrowth as a critical response to the ideology of perpetual economic growth that has dominated industrial societies since the twentieth century. Within the context of the Anthropocene, climate change, biodiversity loss, and global resource depletion, the analysis argues that prevailing economic models based on continuous expansion of production and consumption are incompatible with the Earth's biophysical limits and with long-term social equity.

Within this framework, libraries are analyzed as cultural and informational infrastructures embedded in global networks of technological production, knowledge circulation, and cultural consumption. The article critically examines institutional responses to environmental concerns — particularly the discourse surrounding "green libraries" and sustainability initiatives — suggesting that such approaches often remain confined within the same growth-oriented logic that drives ecological degradation. Instead, the discussion proposes a more structural reconsideration of library practices, including technological infrastructures, acquisition policies, and patterns of resource consumption, with the aim of reducing ecological impact while reinforcing the educational and social functions of libraries.

The analysis ultimately positions libraries as potential actors in socioecological transition by facilitating public access to knowledge about environmental issues, encouraging community engagement with debates on climate change and resource limits, and supporting the circulation of ideas related to alternative economic models. In this perspective, libraries are presented not only as repositories of information but also as civic spaces capable of fostering critical reflection, democratic dialogue, and collective responses to the environmental challenges facing contemporary societies.

This text examines the relationship between degrowth theory and the role of libraries in addressing contemporary socio-environmental crises, situating librarianship within broader debates on ecological limits, sustainability, and the Anthropocene. Drawing on environmental scholarship and degrowth literature — including the work of Rachel Carson, Serge Latouche, Giorgos Kallis, and Federico Demaria — the discussion critiques the historical trajectory of industrial and capitalist economies based on continuous expansion of production and consumption. Within the context of accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, degrowth is presented as a response to the biophysical limits of the Earth and as a proposal for reducing economic throughput while improving ecological conditions and social well-being.

The analysis situates libraries within these debates as institutions embedded in the same socio-economic and technological systems that drive environmental degradation. While environmental discourse has introduced concepts such as sustainability, conservation, and green economy, these frameworks are critically examined for their tendency to preserve the underlying logic of economic growth. Degrowth, by contrast, challenges the assumption that technological innovation or market adjustments alone can resolve ecological crises. Within this perspective, libraries are encouraged to reconsider their institutional practices, including patterns of energy consumption, technological infrastructures, acquisition policies, and the global information markets they indirectly support.

The text ultimately proposes that libraries engage with degrowth on two complementary levels. Internally, they can evaluate and reduce their own material and technological consumption in order to align institutional practices with ecological limits. Externally, they can support community transitions toward more sustainable societies by facilitating access to information, hosting public debate, and fostering collective learning on environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss. In this framework, libraries emerge as civic institutions capable of contributing to broader socioecological transformations while maintaining their traditional role as mediators of knowledge and public dialogue.

This article examines the emergence of degrowth as a response to contemporary socio-ecological crises and explores its implications for libraries and knowledge institutions. Drawing on environmental thought and degrowth scholarship — including the work of Rachel Carson, Serge Latouche, Giorgos Kallis, and Federico Demaria — the discussion situates the concept within the broader recognition of the Earth's biophysical limits and the accelerating environmental degradation associated with industrial capitalism. Within the context of the Anthropocene, climate change, biodiversity loss, and global resource depletion, degrowth is presented as a proposal to reduce production and consumption in order to restore ecological balance while maintaining social well-being.

The analysis critiques dominant environmental narratives such as "green economy" and "sustainable development," arguing that many of these frameworks remain compatible with the same growth-oriented logic that has produced the current environmental crisis. Degrowth, by contrast, calls for a structural transformation of economic and social systems, emphasizing sufficiency, reduced resource use, and the recognition of planetary boundaries. Within this perspective, libraries are considered institutions embedded in the broader cultural and technological infrastructures that shape patterns of knowledge production, information consumption, and material resource use.

The text proposes that libraries engage actively with degrowth transitions in two complementary ways. Internally, institutions can reassess their technological infrastructures, acquisition policies, and energy consumption in order to reduce their ecological footprint and align their practices with environmental limits. Externally, libraries can contribute to community resilience by facilitating access to knowledge about climate change, resource depletion, and alternative economic models, while providing spaces for public debate, collaborative learning, and civic engagement around the challenges posed by the global socioecological crisis.