The destructive effects of capitalism on the environment are supposed to be transformed through the use of new technologies or ecological business models. But this cannot ensure genuine socio-ecological change and a good life for all. We need a system change based on the principles of solidarity and care.
❌ First, it is still based on endless growth which is neither sustainable nor possible on a finite planet.
❌ Second, the capitalistic way of production and accumulation (external link, opens in a new window) is based on injustices and exploitation of humans as well as natural resources. A green energy transition is therefore rooted in global relations of power, inequality and appropriation of raw materials. Although restructuring a greening economy is the right step to start caring about the environment and sustainability, the process fails to challenge growth oriented policies, market mechanisms, as well as neocolonial structures.
In the following method, flashcards have been used to provide the users with arguments not just against green capitalism and the green economy but also to shed light on the social and ecological issues of a green energy transition. The front side of the cards contain the arguments put forward by green economy (taken from Brave Green World: The Green Economy myths. Luxemburg Argumente no. 3, updated edition, by Ulrich Brand) and on the back side users can find the counter arguments against green capitalism.
The concept of green capitalism with its obsession on profit-oriented economic growth to solve the environmental problems is not a solution. Decoupling of economic growth from consumption of natural resources and from CO2 emissions is impractical within green capitalism. Instead of overcoming the problem, green capitalism only shifts the problem to some other place or to some other people. Therefore, we urgently need to look for alternatives that go beyond the so-called imperial mode of living (external link, opens in a new window). We need a fundamental change in the current global economy. Our values need to shift to moderate and sustainable consumption that is not just based on solidarity, but also socially and ecologically just.
In the following method, you will be presented with alternative concepts that offer radical alternatives to capitalism and the current global economy. These include: degrowth and the right to development.
Development projects are often imposed upon local communities in top-down decision-making processes that lead to serious violations of the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities. Economic development policies also have an impact on the environment and the climate. The right to development provides a framework for equitable development. It states that development processes must be based on the active, free and meaningful participation of the people. It aims to achieve self-determination and sovereignty of peoples in choosing their model of development which is based on equality and mutual respect. Explore the inalienable right to development in the following video.
What is environmental justice? Environmental justice refers to social movements focusing on the links between environmental issues and social justice. The term was first used during the 1980s in the United States among Black and Latino communities. The movement originated from the recognition that the most disadvantaged and marginalized communities are most affected socially and environmentally by damaging projects and extracting activities.
What is the Environmental Justice Atlas? The Environmental justice Atlas documents and catalogues social conflict around environmental issues. It collects stories of communities fighting for environmental justice and makes and aims to make them more visible.
This article is part of the series Exiting the Crisis! - Understanding Crises and Paths to Global Justice, which was produced in cooperation with Konzeptwerk Neue Ökonomie (external link, opens in a new window). Online Editing by Alina Kopp. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons License CC BY 4.0 (external link, opens in a new window)! Share, use or adapt it for your educational work. Don't forget to republish it under the same conditions and mention L!NX and the authors.
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