The cost of growth: rethinking the economic narrative to save the planet
Hosted by LSE Festival: How to save the planet
In-person public event (LSE campus)
Tuesday 16 June 2026 6pm - 8pm
What if the climate crisis requires us to fundamentally transform our economic systems? As global decision makers remain wedded to economic growth at any cost, this event responds to the urgent need to explore alternative approaches to sustaining life on Earth.
We begin with a screening of The Cost of Growth, a powerful new documentary which follows climate activists Anuna De Wever and Lena Hartog as they travel through Italy, Serbia, and Sápmi, documenting grassroots resistance to extractivism. The film connects these local struggles with broader debates on war, justice, and democracy - showing how extractive violence is a form of structural warfare on communities and ecosystems.
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the film's co-producer, Lena Hartog. This is a unique chance to reflect on the film’s themes, creative process, and the broader questions it raises about growth, climate justice, and civic resistance.
More about this event
This event is part of the LSE Festival: How to save the planet running from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 June 2026. This year's Festival explores how existential threats including the climate crisis, conflict and AI are affecting all parts of the world, transforming the way and where we live, and how our societies function. With a series of events asking what can we be doing to save the Earth, its people and environment? Booking for all Festival events will open on Monday 18 May.
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