Indefinite exponential economic growth is possible
Empirical and ecological evidence indicates that indefinite exponential economic growth is constrained by finite planetary boundaries, resource limits, and mounting environmental trade-offs.
The claim posits that indefinite exponential economic growth is possible. Papers [1] and [6] discuss the fundamental ecological limits, resource dependencies, and systemic trade-offs associated with continuous economic and demand growth, challenging the viability of infinite expansion. None of the provided papers support the possibility of indefinite exponential growth. Therefore, the balance of evidence refutes the claim.
Kostas Bithas, Panos Kalimeris. Coupling versus Decoupling? Challenging Evidence over the Link between Economic Growth and Resource Use. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031459
Paper [1] highlights that growing resource use outpaces material intensity improvements, demonstrating the ongoing ecological limits challenging perpetual economic growth.
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Erradhouani B, Coma V, Sonnemann G, Loubet P. Transition to bio-based plastic packaging reveals complex climate-biodiversity trade-offs.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69016-9
Paper [6] shows that even major technological transitions like bio-based plastics cannot offset the environmental burdens caused by continued demand growth.
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