Exploring the illusions of green capitalism, the reliance on carbon offsets, challenges of renewable energy, and the role of asset managers in the climate crisis. Guests discuss economic valuation of nature, profit motives in sustainability, and why wind and solar energy aren't embraced. Join the conversation on whether capitalism can truly save the planet!
Green capitalism relies on market mechanisms for environmental solutions, prioritizing profit over sustainability.
Transition to renewable energy faces challenges due to profitability concerns and slow adoption by capitalist firms.
Deep dives
Understanding Green Capitalism
Green capitalism relies on market mechanisms to address environmental challenges by incentivizing profit maximization. This approach assumes that rational self-interest and price signals in the market will lead to desired outcomes like cutting carbon emissions. However, capitalism faces challenges in meeting environmental goals due to its focus on profitability and lack of alignment with urgent climate action.
Challenges of Renewable Energy Adoption
Renewable energy, like wind and solar, is growing but not fast enough to solely replace fossil fuel power. Despite the decreasing costs of renewable energy, profitability remains a key challenge. Capitalist firms prioritize profits, leading to slower transition to renewable energy sources. The focus on economic efficiency overlooks the importance of profitability in driving renewable energy expansion.
The Role of Asset Managers in the Climate Crisis
Asset managers play a significant role in fueling the climate crisis by influencing investment decisions and policies. These financial intermediaries manage assets for institutions and individuals, directing investments in various industries, including energy infrastructure. Their influence extends to shaping public discourse, policy design, and sustainability initiatives. The concentration of capital in asset managers contributes to their considerable power and impact on climate-related decision-making.
Alternatives to Green Capitalism
While private sector involvement is crucial, relying solely on green capitalism poses risks. Alternative approaches involve substantial government intervention in driving sustainable infrastructure investments. Options include providing incentives for private sector action, enhancing market mechanisms, or adopting more radical solutions like direct state directives or public ownership of renewable energy projects. The transition away from green capitalism may require a combination of strategies to address systemic challenges in achieving sustainability goals.
Worried about your carbon emissions? Don’t stress! You can pump out as much as you want - as long as you buy some offsets to balance it out. Scared of the collapse of wildlife? No problem! We can figure out how much money our ecosystems are worth, and let the market do the rest!
Welcome to the logic of green capitalism. Fossil fuel giants claim to celebrate sustainability while pumping out toxic emissions. Governments are relying on carbon offsets to make their climate promises add up. And we’re told that we can fight the climate crisis with the magic of economic markets.
Why have corporations got so interested in sustainability? Will carbon offsets save us - or are they just a cute accounting trick? And if wind and solar energy are so cheap, why haven’t we embraced them?
Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by Adrienne Buller, author of The Value of a Whale: On the illusions of green capitalism, and Brett Christophers, author of The Price is Wrong: Why capitalism won’t save the planet.
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Music by Serge Quadrado, used under Creative Commons licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
Produced by Katrina Gaffney, Margaret Welsh and James Rush
The New Economics Podcast is brought to you by the New Economics Foundation. Find out more about becoming a NEF supporter at: neweconomics.org/donate/build-a-better-future
New Economics Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No. 1055254
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