Discussion about this post

User's avatar
MH's avatar

“ The culprit today is neither growth nor capitalism, it’s fossil fuels”

Do you really think that capitalism and growth in its current state has the ability to transition the global economy away from fossil fuels? If so I’d love to know how you envisage it. Because if the answer is simply to bank on a new technology to pull us through, then the next question is whether capitalism and out obsession with growth is conducive or destructive to this goal.

Personally, from observing the way vested interests protect their investments through lobbying, greenwashing and the like, I am not hopeful that we can really achieve a transition. The way firms protect their existing investments to maximise profits are the hallmark of capitalism.

I’m no de-growth supporter but saying the fossil fuels is the problem rather than the very machines and systems that support their existence (ie capitalism and growth) is not well supported by your arguments.

Sure, in the backdrop of a dichotomy between capitalism and communism you’re not wrong. But that doesn’t really get to the heart of the issue imo.

Enjoyed reading your post in any case. Very thought provoking as always.

Expand full comment
Renato W.'s avatar

Climate change is not a problem nor it's technological advacance or capitalism. The Earth's temperature is much morr affected by the Sun radiation than it ever will be by CO2 emissions. Fossil fuels are key to providing cheap energy and development to rich and poor countries that desperately need to solve many problems Neo-Marxists and Neo-Malthusians turn a blind eye to.

Expand full comment
10 more comments...

No posts