Andrew Ahern is an ecological organizer and freelance writer based in New England. In a recent essay, he reviewed two books which assure us that capitalism can solve the climate and ecological crisis...
Bloomberg journalist Akshat Rathi’s "Climate Capitalism" and data scientist Hannah Ritchie’s "Not the End of the World" bring the reader to a similar conclusion: our existing social and economic system (capitalism) will deliver the necessary technological change due to market forces and government incentives to bring about an age of abundance, human progress, and the world’s “first sustainable generation.”
Whereas Rathi explicitly defends capitalism, Ritchie takes a different approach in defending business as usual. For her, despite a few cracks here and there, capitalism remains a progressive force. While admitting that certain things do need to change, Ritchie relies on highly selective data to tell a story of seemingly endless progress while ignoring studies and alternatives that counter the kind of green capitalism she is selling.
In the end, Ritchie's and Rathi’s books provide insight on how the capitalist class will continue to defend our destructive economic and social system. For those seeking alternatives to green capitalism, these books will help you understand the arguments of the entrenched powers and how we might counter them.
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@breadandcircuses Nothing to worry about. Everything will be ok. Just go back to work and don’t worry about anything that slows your productivity. Pay no attention to the fumes coming out of those vent stacks, or the funny green fluid you see in the creek by the parking lot. Or those reports of tornadoes and severe storms near your house…our workplace is the best place for you in severe weather. Your family will be fine, but you might not be able to drive home to them.
@breadandcircuses
The new pied pipers of doom. Playing a seductive tune to most, enough to lead us off the edge.
When Hannah's book came out with posts in here of praise, it just shoved another knife in the heart of hope, where even the openly deceptive (or best case, self deluded) are now lauded, what chance the change we need?
Many say defeatism is what we have to overcome, as though GHG emissions arent the problem and they deliberately undermine every necessary change with magical thinking.
Is David Boyd right and our simain brains cant cope, how does one possibly defend complete and utter nonsese like ecars or sustainable aviation and still walk upright ?