Article by Anna Lawes

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Removing the threat of climate change means eradicating the pandemic of capitalism.

As western powers are swallowed into the ongoing phenomena of capitalism, our chances of mitigating a worsening global climate crisis seem unlikely. To truly defeat the overshadowing threat of climate change, our social and economic system, as we know it, must be reevaluated.

Recent years have seen weak attempts by capitalist countries, poorly aiming to reverse the effects of climate change. Optimism may have been raised as a result of COP26, the Glasgow Climate Pact, where nations pledged to make the 2020s a decade of action. Yet a lack of momentum from dominating capitalist powers, the US and UK, has meant that the response to the climate crisis since these events remains stagnant.

It is the very nature of capitalism which makes this battle against climate change so unfruitful. Its idealized free market has evidently generated some temporary ‘solutions’ in an attempt to combat global warming. These include the innovation of solar panels and greater public transport. However, there remains a duality within this welfare state. Capitalism is based on foundations of individualism and competition, where transnational companies dominate, personified by greed and selfishness. These many companies, lost in the pursuit of profit, include Nestlé. In November 2023, Nestlé faced major ethical scrutiny concerning their water rights, sourcing of palm oil and labor practices. In the quest to maximize their revenue, against harsh competitors such as Uni-lever, mixed in their own environmental controversies provisions in place to help protect our environment were totally neglected. It is this cycle of ongoing exploitation and pollution from transnational companies that makes up the Anthropocene. Weak pacts, the Glasgow Climate Pact, will stand no chance against the large-scale carbon emissions produced by the aforementioned organizations. Something must change; capitalism must change.

Our fight against climate change, living in a capitalist society, is one that mimics the effort of a marathon runner, stuck on a treadmill, never reaching their destination. Or it is as if our planet is diseased and there is no cure. We are hopeless. This idea of us being totally stuck in a climate crisis, corresponds to theorist, Schnaiberg’s, own ‘treadmill of production theory’ (Schnaiberg 1980). Schnaiberg argues that market dominated societies are driven by a ‘relentless commitment to growth’ without considering any ecological costs. Simply put, he believes that production remains continuous in a capitalist society, simultaneously completely depleting natural resources. Therefore, any attempts to reverse the immediate effects of climate change, recent UK flooding for example, with two million properties falling vulnerable, seem pointless. We face a potential 4 degree average temperature increase by the end of this century, and as Schnaiberg’s treadmill theory suggests, this temperature will only rise if our current capitalist social system persists.

Capitalism’s survival, however, is reliant on us, its consumers. It thrives off our willingness to buy the endless accumulation of products businesses offer. Without our contributions, profit and investment would die. Capitalism dies. In modern society we have essentially become too preoccupied with the consumption of ‘pleasuring seeking’ items and experiences. This idea is explored by john Urry, who argues that individuals fuel capitalism, increasingly buying to fulfil their ‘mobility complex’ (Urry, J. 2009). We have become too wrapped up in materialistic items and are now the victims of large-scale companies, stuck in an endless spiral of consumption. Tempting marketing by brands contributing to the climate crisis, such as, amazon, with an estimated 78% of its US energy coming from nonrenewable sources, only entices us more, encouraging the curation of our mobility complex in this new experience economy.

It is clear that you hold extreme power, forming the foundation of the capitalist social and economic system. Without your contributions it ceases to exist. A difference needs to be made, and you can make it: boycotting these unethical companies. We have been left with 11 years to make a change, this cannot and will not be made alongside the existence of a competitive capitalist society. Change must be made not only for our own survival, but for future generations and our world as we know it. Your child may wake up on a winter’s morning and never see snow. They may not have the same privileges as you.  One in four are estimated to be living in areas with extreme water shortages by 2040 and a further 160 million to be exposed to severe droughts. Blood stains the hands of large-scale cooperations, thriving in capitalism, however we can also make a difference. Ending capitalism means ending the threatening climate crisis.

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