Michael F. Maniates
Senior scholar in environmental politics and sustainability studies, author of The Living‑Green Myth (Polity, 2025); former professor and inaugural chair of the environmental studies program at Yale‑NUS College and senior fellow at Story of Stuff.
Best podcasts with Michael F. Maniates
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Nov 2, 2025 • 51min
Michael Maniates, "The Living-Green Myth" (Polity Press, 2025)
Michael F. Maniates, a renowned scholar in environmental politics, delves into the flaws of the living-green narrative in his latest work. He argues that individual actions alone can't instigate systemic change and critiques the buy-green mantra as misleading. Maniates highlights how this myth emerged from environmental movements and business interests in the 1980s. He advocates for organized actions over personal green choices and emphasizes the importance of community engagement and institutional change for sustainable solutions.
Nov 2, 2025 • 51min
Michael Maniates, "The Living-Green Myth" (Polity Press, 2025)
Michael F. Maniates, a leading scholar in environmental politics, discusses his book, The Living-Green Myth. He challenges the notion that individual green choices can drive systemic change, calling it 'utter nonsense.' Maniates delves into the origins of lifestyle environmentalism and critiques its depoliticizing effect. He emphasizes the power of collective action over consumer-focused change and advocates for institutional reforms. Additionally, he highlights the need for structural changes that simplify sustainable living, pushing back against the myths that hinder genuine progress.
