ARCPDX Book Club - June 2025

This month we will discuss the second half of Kohei Saito’s book, "Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto.” Takara will be out of town on the last Tuesday of June so the group decided to meet on July 1 instead. Do not need to have attended last month to join us this month! Whether you're a seasoned activist or a curious newcomer, all are welcome to join the Animal Rights Collective Portland (ARCPDX) Book Club! Thank you to Takara for leading and Northwest Animal RIghts Network (NARN), Veggies Do It Better Events, and Northwest VEG for co-hosting. Tuesday, July **Discussing chapters 5-end** 6-7:45pm (meeting and Zoom will begin at 6:05pm) Northwest Library (2300 NW Thurman St., Portland) - We will be in the Large Meeting Room. Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7654622343 About "Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto” By Kohei SaitoWhy, in our affluent society, do so many people live in poverty, without access to health care, working multiple jobs and are nevertheless unable to make ends meet, with no future prospects, while the planet is burning? In his international bestseller, Kohei Saito argues that while unfettered capitalism is often blamed for inequality and climate change, subsequent calls for “sustainable growth” and a “Green New Deal” are a dangerous compromise. Capitalism creates artificial scarcity by pursuing profit based on the value of products rather than their usefulness and by putting perpetual growth above all else. It is therefore impossible to reverse climate change in a capitalist society—more: the system that caused the problem in the first place cannot be an integral part of the solution. Instead, Saito advocates for degrowth and deceleration, which he conceives as the slowing of economic activity through the democratic reform of labor and production. In practical terms, he argues for: • the end of mass production and mass consumption• decarbonization through shorter working hours• the prioritization of essential labor over corporate profits By returning to a system of social ownership, he argues, we can restore abundance and focus on those activities that are essential for human life, effectively reversing climate change and saving the planet. Books are suggested and voted on by the group. Our goal is to read books that challenge norms, inspire empathy, reflect the diverse voices and perspectives within the vegan and social justice movements, and ignite conversations about animal rights, environmental sustainability, social equity, and more. In between meetings, we encourage you to chat about the books via Slack! Join the ARCPDX Slack workspace: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLScFIcsJ79m.../viewform... If you are already on our Slack, join the #book-club channelHow to join a channel: https://slack.com/help/articles/205239967-Join-a-channel PUBLIC TRANSIT & PARKING:There is free street parking as well as bus stops nearby. Plan your trip: www.trimet.org ACCESSIBILITY:Wheelchair-friendly Reach out to Takara Rahalski with any questions. By attending this event, you are agreeing to the Animal Rights Collective Portland Meeting/Event Community Guidelines: https://docs.google.com/.../10gu2vfndaJW58nt4LJeGx6q.../edit