Growth

[Johnny pulls an Earth balloon from his pocket and blows some air into it.]

This is a story about growth.

All our leaders of industry and government say that industrial growth is a good thing. They believe that constant growth is normal, and that zero growth means death. We will put it to the test. We will see if they are right.

Biological growth is different. At your age it is natural for you to grow. You would have problems if you didn't grow. I stopped growing when I was sixteen. Zero growth didn't mean that I died. It made it possible for me to live.

Constant growth is like driving a car at constant acceleration — suicidal! Zero growth is like constant velocity— good when suited to the conditions of the road.

For this story the balloon represents the Biosphere — the living and life-supporting system in the outer part of the Earth. Remember, we are on it and in it. See? Here is Australia. Here is North America. Here is South America. And we are right here. [pointing]

This is a democratic country. Each person gets a vote. I will say: "Raise your hands, those who vote for more material growth on Earth." More material growth means you want more people on Earth, more cars, more television sets, more schools, more, more, more.

Then I will say: "Hands down. Raise your hands, those who vote for more green growth." Green growth begins rapidly, then slows down to zero. That is the way most populations behave in nature. The result is balance.

If those who want more material growth on Earth are in the majority, I will blow more air into the balloon and take another vote. If those who want more green growth on Earth are in the majority, I will not blow any more air into the balloon and the Biosphere will go free. Do you get the general idea? Are you ready for the vote? Good!

Hands up, those who want more material growth on Earth — more people, more cars, more TV sets. Hands down. Hands up, those who want more green growth on Earth — more wild plants and animals, a better balance with the rest of nature.

Oh, fantastic! You've done it! You saved the Biosphere! Congratulations! You have saved our lives! Congratulations! [Johnny shakes everyone's hand.]

Teachers, listen! This is important. I started telling this story in 1984. Before 1988, nine times out of ten, the kids in schools voted for more material growth. Kids like fun and excitement. They knew that the balloon would eventually burst. After 1988, it was just the other way around. Nine times out of ten the kids voted for more green growth — to save the Biosphere — just like your students today! A children's revolution is taking place on Earth!

What do you think happened in 1988? It was the year of the hot dry summer, the first time in recorded history when Canada and the United States became net food importing countries. People in big cities were sweltering in the streets.

An even more important factor was the report of a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica in 1985. Even scientists were surprised by that. Kids didn't learn about it in school. Most of them learned about it from channel-flicking on TV, some from parents or friends. Kids interpreted it as a signal of game-over for life on Earth.

Now, fellow students, I want you to become actors and actresses. I want you to act out the parts of the students — those goons...those dinosaurs...those imbeciles... who were in your school before 1988. When I say: "Hands up for more material growth on Earth," I want to see everyone's hand in the air. Then, we will take another vote. The balloon will get bigger and bigger. When it pops, as good actors and actresses you must fall over, dead. But, please, try not to kill anyone on the way down.

Are you ready for the vote? Hands up for more material growth...Good! Hands down. Hands up for green growth. Well, we have a few good green growth people here, but... NOT ENOUGH! So, more air in the balloon...