Arvamusfestival 2026: Degrowth – Failure or a Strategy for Survival?
At this year's Arvamusfestival, the SustainERA research group will bring sustainable choices in an age of multiple crises into focus. Researchers and experts will engage festival participants in discussions on how to respond to the simultaneous ecological, political, and social crises we face today, while exploring alternatives to the growth-oriented development model that has contributed to these crises.
Through a workshop and a series of public discussions, members of the SustainERA project will focus on possibilities for collective survival, imagining democratic futures, environmental justice, and the cultural politics of sustainability.
SustainERA programme
- Friday, 7 August, 2:00–4:00 p.m. Progressive Movement Area SustainERA Futures Visioning Workshop
Led by Halliki Kreinin and Amy Shackelford, this workshop invites especially younger generations to look beyond today's crises and collectively imagine more just and resilient futures. The workshop aims to inspire young people to take action even when the political changes needed may seem distant or difficult to achieve. The workshop will be held in English.
- Saturday, 8 August, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Progressive Movement Area "Degrowth as a Collective Survival Strategy"
Moderated by Amy Shackelford, the discussion will feature SustainERA research group members Grete Arro, Dušan Pajović, Ayan Shamchiyeva, and Jaanus Terasmaa. The discussion asks whether degrowth can be understood not only as a critique of growth-centred economic thinking, but also as a practical anti-colonial strategy for collective survival. Drawing on the concept of Collective Survival Strategies, the conversation explores how communities facing oppression, exploitation, and injustice have developed practices of mutual aid, care, community resilience, and resistance.
- Saturday, 8 August, 12:30–2:00 p.m. Progressive Movement Area "Petromasculinity: How the Oil Industry Gets Alpha Males to Dance to Its Tune"
Moderated by Halliki Kreinin, the discussion brings together Natalie Mets, Frederik Klanberg, and Eero Janson. The discussion examines the links between petromasculinity, climate change denial, racism, and misogyny, connecting anti-elite rhetoric with the interests of the fossil fuel industry, political narratives, and growing inequality. Together, the speakers will explore how fossil fuel–driven identity politics redirects public frustration away from systemic problems and towards vulnerable social groups, and discuss how society can respond to these dynamics.
SustainERA researchers in other Arvamusfestival discussions
In addition to the events organised by SustainERA, members of the research group will participate in several other discussions throughout the festival.
Grete Arro will take part in six discussions across the two festival days, covering topics such as the impact of technology on the brain, systems thinking in education, early childhood education, and young people's mental health in the age of social media.
Anu Realo will participate in a discussion exploring why environmental issues often struggle to gain electoral support.
Jaanus Terasmaa will contribute to discussions on climate action, sustainability knowledge, moving beyond growth-centred thinking, water and food security, and the role of expert knowledge in public debate.
Mari-Liis Jakobson will moderate a panel discussion on the role of experts in public debate.
Kertu Vuks will join a discussion examining whether environmental protection is primarily a cost or a value for people and businesses in today's challenging political and economic climate.
Join SustainERA at Arvamusfestival 2026 and help imagine a more sustainable and just future!