The BREAK—DOWN

In this special episode, Adam Hanieh explains the threads linking the global oil economy; more than a century of Western imperialism; contemporary American interests in the Middle East; and the response of governments in the US, UK and much of Europe to the ongoing genocide and ecocide in Gaza. Ultimately, he explains why these overlapping histories demand shared solidarity between the climate movement and the movement for a free Palestine.

Oil is fundamental to our understanding of the climate crisis. But despite its starring role, the dominance of oil in the global energy system is a relatively recent phenomenon, with the industry only really taking off after the Second World War. So how, in just a few decades, did oil become so integral to American power and to our understanding of global capitalism?In this episode of the Break Down, Adrienne and Adam Hanieh break down the history and geopolitics of oil and imperialism, and explore how the petrochemicals and plastics that now permeate our lives, from the foods we eat to the clothes we wear and everything in between, are making it increasingly difficult to challenge the power of the fossil fuel industry.

Brett Christophers, an economic geographer from Uppsala University and author of "The Price is Wrong," joins the discussion to challenge the belief that the drop in renewable energy costs guarantees a smooth transition to clean energy. He emphasizes the critical role of electricity in decarbonization and critiques the dependence on private ownership for sustainable energy solutions. Brett also highlights China's dual role in renewable growth amid coal investments, questioning the effectiveness of market-driven approaches and advocating for stronger government intervention.