The Constant Battle Between Capitalism and Environmentalism

facts that it presented were so life-changing that they sent me into a harrowing existential crisis.

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Am I a drama queen? Likely. But am I exaggerating? Not even slightly. While I am tempted to guide you through the thought path that led to my breakdown, I think it would be considerably more effective to discuss some of the ways that capitalism is in direct opposition to the survival of human beings on this planet, while also considering reasons to be hopeful, so that we don’t all end up lying on the ground in the fetal position, questioning the purpose of living within a society in which any career that we pursue will ultimately contribute to the destruction of our habitat and the eventual extinction of humanity as a whole, and… do you see what I mean? Let’s shift this conversation.

 

Before delving into our discussion of how capitalism threatens the environment, it’s important to ensure that we have a clear idea of what capitalism actually is. There are a lot of components of capitalism that complicate its economic definition, but at its core it is an economic system constituted by interactions between the institutions of firms, markets, and private property [1]. Decisions within capitalist systems are generally made with a profit-motive, meaning that they are incentivized by financial gain. In society’s current interpretation and enactment of capitalism, it is considered synonymous with a “constant growth” economic model. We see continuous growth and our subsequent depletion of resources as essential for profit maximization. This approach creates a dangerous binary: continued economic stability at the cost of the Earth’s wellbeing, or environmental stability at the cost of society’s economic wellbeing. We have chosen the former option time and again, sacrificing the environment for continued economic growth. Working within a constant growth capitalist model has led humanity to surpass the threshold of safe consumption on Earth, and to continue consumption even after reaching that upper limit [2].

 

In “This Changes Everything,” Naomi Klein begins by considering the question of why we are failing to address the climate crisis with adequate urgency and action. Dispelling the many potential reasons commonly cited in public discourse, Klein posits that the reason for our lack of success in mitigating climate change is our entrenchment in deregulated capitalism. She explains that corporate globalization within a deregulated capitalist system relies on three pillars, namely: “privatization of the public sphere, deregulation of the corporate sector, and lower corporate taxation, paid for with cuts to public spending” (Klein, 19). Cutting public spending inhibits our ability to invest in sustainable public infrastructure and replace environmentally destructive systems with environmentally friendly ones. As power moves away from the public sphere, regulation of fossil fuel use and taxation on emissions becomes challenging and politically unpopular. Fewer regulations on the corporate sector means that many corporations can allow their emissions to rise without consequence. 

 

These three pillars that have formed the foundation of national economies in the past decade also reduce governmental ability to support the renewable energy sector; fossil fuel-heavy corporations continue to thrive due to their long history of financial success, while renewable corporations struggle to get off the ground. In an era during which the fight for the climate should be at the forefront of all decisions, we are placing money and decision-making power in the hands of corporations who benefit from the continued prioritization of profit over sustainability.

 

Klein explores how the elite minority who have benefited substantially from capitalism and accumulated considerable wealth have more power over the economy, political process, and major media outlets than the majority of citizens. Those with power over politics and the rhetoric popularized by mainstream media are the very people who benefit most from deregulated capitalism, and as such, it is not in their interest to transition away from deregulated capitalism and the high levels of emission that accompany it. 

 

If you’re like me, you’re probably thinking, “yikes! Stress! We are goners!”. If that’s the case, I’m glad to see that your stream of conscious thoughts are as ~articulate~ as mine. But here’s the thing. Falling into a pit of despair is not only unhelpful, but it is also unnecessary! There is hope to be had! We are in an incredibly unique position to radically change our economic system to make it more sustainable, more equitable, and more just. 

 

In the past, crises such as the Great Depression and World War II created ideal conditions for the public to push for and achieve progressive social policy. Crises force us to self-evaluate and make improvements on systems previously perceived as ‘set in stone.’ Right now, we are in the midst of both the climate crisis and the coronavirus pandemic, so there is ample room for crisis-based re-evaluation and transformation of our systems. We can use our fear of climate change as a motivating force for social change. Klein views our climate change response as an opportunity to disperse power to the many, expand the commons, reduce corporate influence on democracies, invest in affordable housing and transit, and recognize and respect the power and autonomy Indigenous peoples. 

 

The crucial question, then, is how can we implement this transformation away from deregulated capitalism and towards a just, equitable, and sustainable economy? Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer, and I’m not sure that any one person does. But the first step is to open our eyes to the danger that we are putting ourselves in by continuing to support a system that does not support life on Earth. We need to contact our MPs and MPPs, reach out to family and friends, and continue to educate ourselves and those around us. If change is going to happen, it will have to come from below. We are at a crucial point in human history during which our actions, or lack thereof, will alter the course of the future. We must do everything in our power to ensure that the future that we create is a liveable one.