The Limits to Growth debate, started by the Club of Rome in 1972, is based on flawed economics. It ultimately sees an end to economic growth and instead espouses embarking on a modern form of communism, which, as the Soviet Union showed, is an abject failure.
We have no choice but to continue on a capitalist path of progress in the national interest and aim to raise per capita living standards as a result. This happens primarily because of access to cheap energy, whether fossil fuels or renewables, even as the latter is preferable to stave off the worst excesses of Climate Change.
However, any 'green policy' we pursue must be cost-competitive. Anything else will simply be a waste of taxpayers' money and add unnecessarily to the National Debt. That is not to say we should compete economically with foreign nations that subsidise their industries and 'illegally' dump their goods on us. There is a role, after all, for tariffs to bring manufacturing back home and in so doing make us less reliant on other Foreign Powers' supply chains.
I am not advocating a total lack of free trade, to be clear. With trusted nations, this remains a sensible option and can enhance mutual living standards. However, in an increasingly hostile world, we must 'wise-up'!
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