@conference {1967,
	title = {Locking in or helping shift? Trends and developments affecting sustainable resource use and degrowth},
	booktitle = {Fourth International Conference on Degrowth for Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity},
	year = {2014},
	address = {Leipzig},
	abstract = {<p>A number of global megatrends are challenging the likelihood and feasibility of options for degrowth: Rising global population and affluence levels, proliferation of westernized lifestyles and production and consumption patterns with associated resource use needs and environmental impacts jeopardize the earth{\textquoteright}s carrying capacity. Degrowth in the sense of socially sustainably and equitably reducing materials and energy use and shifting to a focus on welfare instead of economic indicators emerges as one central theme to stay within planetary boundaries. In the context of a German research project, trends and developments supportive to and impeding degrowth are being analysed. While socio-economic acceleration, encompassing increasingly short-term product and consumption cycles counteracts degrowth, emerging new mental models and business models towards simplicity and product-service-systems support degrowth. Knowledge on relevant trends and their causal linkages is key to identifying promising leverage points for policies supporting degrowth.</p>},
	author = {Martin Hirschnitz-Garbers and Susanne Langsdorf}
}
