Introduction

Traditional economics relies on continual growth, an assumption which made little sense in the 1960s and makes even less sense now.  Any plan which requires unrestricted (in effect, infinite) growth on a finite planet is unlikely to succeed. 

The Club of Rome commissioned a report which was published in 1972 as 'The Limits to Growth'.  It was widely criticized by groups with vested interests in opposing it, but the basic message has proved to be remarkably accurate.

We cannot support infinite growth, even in the digital realm (see Wired: 'The Infinite Cloud Is a Fantasy').

One response to this challenge is provided by 'Doughnut economics'.