120: Inflation, Covid, China & Crypto - looking back on 2021 and forward to 2022

2021 saw accelerating inflation in advanced economies, the pandemic continuing, cracks appearing in the Chinese economic model, and massive price growth in cryptocurrencies and NFTs. Economics Explored host Gene Tunny discusses the big issues of 2021 and looks forward to 2022 with frequent guest Tim Hughes. The episode also features discussion on the COP26 climate change summit, the idea of “degrowth” advanced by some ecologists and environmentalists, and feedback on EP115 on the Opioid Crisis and the War on Drugs.  Links relevant to the conversationCrazy Crypto charts Gene refers to in the episodeAustralia’s largest bitcoin mine hopes to utilise unused renewable energy and lead the world on decarbonisationCovid: Dutch go into Christmas lockdown over Omicron waveWHO forecasts coronavirus pandemic will end in 2022China struggles to shrug off weak consumer spending and property woes China Evergrande reports progress in resuming home deliveriesLife in a ‘degrowth’ economy, and why you might actually enjoy itEP115 – The Opioid Crisis and the War on DrugsThanks to the show’s audio engineer Josh Crotts for his assistance in producing the episode. Please get in touch with any questions, comments and suggestions by emailing us at [email protected] or sending a voice message via https://www.speakpipe.com/economicsexplored. Economics Explored is available via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, and other podcasting platforms.