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What causes economies to grow and might this growth outstrip our planet’s capacity to sustain it? This is the economist’s version of ‘if 42 is the answer what is the question?’ - It is a work in progress. However, this week the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to two economists, William Nordhaus and Paul Romer, whose work has enabled us to edge closer to an answer. Tim Harford joins Ruth Alexander to talk about how these economists’ works have challenged our perceptions of materialism, productivity and climate change.

Presenters: Ruth Alexander, Tim Harford
Producer: Lizzy McNeill

( Illustration of William Nordhaus and Paul Romer. Artist: Niklas Elmehed @niklaselmehed )