The only way to avoid this trap is to disengage from a consumer culture that equates car ownership with independence, while also reducing the volume of everything we consume. We must make a major incision into capitalism itself to heal the world. This is why green Keynesianism is not enough. Make no mistake - Green New Deal-style governmental platforms enabling large-scale investment into remaking nations at a fundamental level are absolutely indispensable in the struggle to combat climate change. It's undeniable that we must make the transition to solar energy, electric vehicles and the like. Public transportation systems must be expanded and made free to all, bicycle lanes must be built, public housing fitted with solar panels must be created - these sorts of works projects, driven by public spending, are vital. But these things are simply not enough. It might sound counter intuitive, but the goal of any Green New Deal should not be economic growth, but rather the scaling down and slowing down of the economy. Measures to stop climate change cannot double as ways to further economic growth. These measures will only work if their only goal is stopping climate change. Indeed, the less such measures aim to grow the economy, the higher the possibility they'll work. It also would ease the issues related to lithium and cobalt extraction in Chile and Congo (though environmental problems will nonetheless still surely occur). By contrast, the only thing left to say about Green New Deal proposals aiming to promote unlimited economic growth at this point is, 'The road to extinction is paved with good intentions.'

— Slow Down by Kōhei Saitō (Page 56 - 57)