“Science says: Revolt” (260), by Naomi Klein, brings our future on earth into question when she recounts some of the activity that took place at the December 2012 annual fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco. Klein focuses on one session in particular lead by Brad Werner, a geophysicist from the University of California in San Diego, titled “Is Earth F**ked? Dynamical Futility of Global Environmental Management and Possibilities for Sustainability via Direct Action Activism” (260). The title of this session sets the tone for Klein’s persuasive essay which argues “our economic paradigm is a threat to ecological stability” (261) and that “acts of resistance” (265) are required against industry which contribute to the global warming problem. Klein examines the main messages put forth by note worthy environmental scientists: Brad Werner, James Hanson, Kevin Anderson and Alice Bows; that unless immediate and radical action is taken to overcome capitalist society’s need to consume resources, humanity will not be able to avoid the impacts of global warming. The inductive reasoning of this essay is correct; in that our current catastrophic ecological situation is caused by “an economic system that fetishizes GDP growth above all else, regardless of the human or ecological consequences”. This essay examines Klein’s logic for how capitalism has failed, the ethical implications of the necessary activism, and the practicality of a new economic paradigm required to find balance with Mother Nature.
I think by now, we are all aware of the impending impacts of global warming on the planet (not the human race’s planet); however, it is far more precarious than most people realize. Klein points out the views of Anderson and Bows, “An 80 percent emissions cut below 1990 levels by 2050 – has been selected purely for reasons of political expediency and has “no scientific basis” (262).” So the question becomes, why would our government not heed the warnings from the worlds most knowledgeable and qualified. Without getting into how the general public influences government policy, it follows that governments side with those who pay the bills and keep the lights on. Richard Neuman, Division of Education, San Diego State University, Calexico, California, states, “the Great Recession of 2007–2009, which scholarly analysis and official investigation have determined was a preventable crisis that resulted largely from deregulation in the financial sector procured by the industry through monetary enticements and other influences on government officials” (263). Therefore, we can no longer rely on the wisdom of government to protect us. In fact, the situation is so alarming that governments have taken steps to spin the evidence and stop the nation’s scientist from releasing their findings. In Canada, this included “shutting down critical research projects” (264).
Some may argue that “green” non-profit organizations are in place to offset pressure from corporations. Klein explains that scientist have concluded this won’t be enough; “Anderson and Bows go further, pointing out that this target cannot be met with the array of modest carbon pricing or green-tech solutions usually advocated by big green groups.” The human race can’t depend on this perceived balance; in fact, “Big Green” isn’t even focused on the greatest cause of global warming and pollution. In a documentary by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn titled “Cowsperacy”, it’s reported that the destruction of mass amounts of rain forest to make way for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, coupled with the methane produced by the animals, have more of an impact on Global Warming than all carbon emitting sources combined. The documentary goes on to explain that the amount of water required to sustain and grow feed for these animals is far greater than all other residential and commercial requirements combined. In addition to consumption, Andresen and Kuhn show extensive research on the water pollution caused by these operations. In an article by Tarah Heinzen & Abel Russ called “Using Emerging Pollution Tracking Methods to Address the Downstream Impacts of Factory Farm Animal Welfare Abuse” (57) they say “Despite growing evidence of the environmental, animal welfare, and public health threats of factory farming, the animal agribusiness industry continues to exert its political influence to escape the pollution control regulations that have dramatically reduced pollution in almost every other industry” (57). They estimate that “70% of all antibiotics in the United States are used in livestock production, rather than human medicine” (58). It follows that big pharmaceutical corporations are backing their largest customer. Heinzen and Russ are developing a system to hold CAFO corporations accountable for their “toxic pollutants [that] leach or run off into surrounding waters, threatening public health and ecosystems downstream” (58). Unfortunately, meat has been engrained into North American culture as a fundamental source of protein for a healthy diet and to advocate the reduction in the availability of meat to the general public hits to close to home. Making sure the lights are off, riding a bike or car pooling to work are less invasive actions to promote. It stands to reason, that if “Big Green’s” operations are sustained by donations they would be committing financial suicide by trying to get donations that prevented people from buying a steak. In connecting these dots, the picture begins to show how capitalism, the pursuit of economic growth and profit for shareholders has created a system which can not function in the best interest of long term sustainability. There are few events that have disrupted society at this level in recent history and “Greenhouse-gas cuts have only been achieved by economic recession or upheaval” (262).
Klein explains that “worst economic crisis of modern times”, the stock market crash in the United States in 1929, was the only event which caused “emissions drop for several consecutive years by more than 10 per cent annually” (262). This event represents the only major impact to the current capitalist paradigm in developed countries and is the only event that had a significant impact global warming. Klein quotes Anderson and Bows who state that “radical and immediate de-growth strategies in the US, EU and other wealthy nations” (262) are required meet scientific emission targets. There are many acts of direct action by concerned people through protests, blockades, sabotage currently taking place and often mentioned in news stories. Klein notes that “Brad Werner’s computer model, this is the “friction” needed to slow down the forces of destabilisation” (265).
Scientist have made it clear that the planet will be impacted by greenhouse gas and that everyone must take part to prevent the impending climate changes. Some have responded to this call through protests and other more radical action. While this may be enough to slow down the climate change and bring more awareness to the general public, historical events show that this may not be enough. The current capitalist paradigm requires the continuous increase in growth regardless of the impact on resources. While governments are supposed to put limits and controls in place to act in the best interest of society, capitalism has taken over through lobbies and other means to serve their own interests, greater profits. The Green organizations that are supposed to be the balance are not taking the action require to make a significant difference. All we can do is go vegan, or at least adopted a plant based diet, and hope for the best.
References
Klein, Naomi. “Science says: revolt!” Essay Writing for Canadian Students. Eds. Roger Davis and Laura K. Davis. 8th ed. Toronto: Pearson, 2016. 260-265. Print.
Andersen, Kip, Keegan Kuhn, “Cowspiracy” Animals United Movement A.U.M. Film.
Heinzen, Tarah, Abel Russ. “Using Emerging Pollution Tracking Methods to Address the Downstream Impacts of Factory Farm Animal Welfare Abuse.” Pace Environmental Law Review Web: http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/pelr/vol31/iss2/3/
Neumann, Richard. “An Analysis of the Treatment of Corporate Influence on Government by United States History and American Government High School Textbooks.” Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, The Social Studies (2014) 105, 57–68
Adler, Paul S. “Book Review Essay: The Environmental Crisis and Its Capitalist Roots: Reading Naomi Klein with Karl Polanyi” Administrative Science Quarterly 2015, Vol. 60(2)NP13–NP25