Understanding the Origins of Planetary Crisis

The origins of the current planetary crisis can be traced back to the rise of capitalism and its exploitation of nature and human labor. Professor Jason Moore emphasizes that the steam engine and subsequent technologies are not the sole drivers of the crisis, but rather products of a broader system. He highlights the exploitative nature of capitalism and its historical reliance on unpaid work from women, nature, and colonies. The capitalist system, through the concept of cheap nature, devalues and exploits both human and non-human labor, perpetuating inequalities and environmental destruction.