Ramachandra Guha on what India's forgotten environmentalists can teach us

Published in 1973, 'Small Is Beautiful' critiques mainstream economics by advocating for sustainable development, small-scale technologies, and community-centered economic policies. The book is divided into four parts: 'The Modern World', 'Resources', 'The Third World', and 'Organization and Ownership'. Schumacher argues that economic growth must be balanced with the needs of communities and the environment, and he introduces the concept of 'Buddhist economics', which emphasizes human needs and limitations. The book has been highly influential, inspiring movements such as 'Buy Local' and 'Fair Trade', and was ranked among the 100 most influential books since World War II by 'The Times Literary Supplement'.

Ramachandra Guha's "Speaking with Nature" explores the prehistory of Indian environmentalism, challenging the notion that developing nations prioritize development over ecological concerns. The book highlights ten significant historical figures who articulated sophisticated ecological critiques before Western environmental movements. Guha examines primary sources to demonstrate how these figures developed their environmentalism within Indian contexts, addressing issues like forest conservation and industrialization. The book introduces the concept of "livelihood environmentalism," contrasting it with the "full-stomach environmentalism" of affluent societies. It contributes to our understanding of how environmental consciousness manifests in different socioeconomic contexts.