If you know the term cognitive dissonance, it applies to ability of a person to hold entirely incompatible ideas in their head at the same time. If people can have it, so can a government. Take these two statements: 1) We will work towards a sustainable future 2) We will pursue economic growth The evidence is overwhelming:  we cannot do both of these things because economic growth is the antithesis of sustainability. Pasting a veneer over this chasm are terms such as green growth and weightless economy. Jonathan Miller is the Director of Steady State ACT.