Free Environment And Society Term Paper Sample

Introduction

This paper is comprised of a book review of these changes everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate by Naomi Klein. The major issues discussed in this book are disaster capitalism and climate change. These issues have been termed as the biggest threat to the humanity, and the author has stressed the need to cope with them without wasting any further time. The problem is identified and presented in a more elaborative way, and necessary suggestions have been provided in a prudent manner. According to the thought provoking presentation of the gravity of the problem, the effects of climate change would be multi-dimensional. It is the need of the hour to lower the emissions of green house gases and limit our dependence over fossil fuels. There are certain other options in the shape of renewable energy sources that can fulfill our industrial as well domestic energy needs. The impact of capitalism and its relation with the climate change is categorically discussed in this book. If not addressed properly, the issue of climate change would act as a catalyst and cast undesirable affect over our social, economic and geological aspects.

Analysis

Naomi Klein in her book “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate” puts a question that is this best option we have for fighting against the menace of climate change. After reading the book, one can clearly suggest that the core message forwarded by the writer is linked with social and environmental justice.
At one point she states that the solution to global warming is not to fix the world, but to fix ourselves (p. 279); in the beginning, the writer has discussed some basic problems faced by us including inequality, fossil fuel extraction, deniers of climate change and their vehement relationship with conservatism, money and trade through unethical means. At a later stage, the author proposed solutions to these issues, for instance, what we as individuals could do to cope with the threat of global warming. Some suggestions in this regard have been given which relate to radical social solutions and also include the transfer of primary services related with water, transport and energy sectors to public ownership. No doubt, Klein has identified the right problem and presented an effective way out for addressing this issue in a specific manner. She has not treated growth as the basic pillar of social strength. Some other authors have already discussed the mitigating strategies. However, Klein has successfully presented them in a prudent and well thought manner. Her account of Trading in pollution, author has thrown light over the economic system and capitalism. In Europe, the government is regulating the issue of emissions by the control segment, which is something hopeful for the non-economists (Lane, 2014).
There are many examples in which old problems can be presented in a new revolutionary way; for instance, the use of specific wordings as, extreme energy and extractives with a view to describe the natural resources of our planet. The particular section of this book on ‘the war on science’ is of great importance as it highlighted the negative impact of oil and gas industry’s claim, as being the only available option for the energy needs of the planet. This industry has occasionally rendered the scientific study regarding weather revolutionize and ecological contamination as a legend.
This book has also discussed the relation between poverty, climate change and development. The topic of social and environmental justice have been explained thoroughly, and issues that are termed as controversial have also been clearly discussed, which include the redistributive climate finance mechanism and wealth transfer. According to the author, we must not show contentment about the old adjustment of the false perception of jobs and growth. On the contrary, we must find new ways to invest in the business, which is socially equitable and viable.
Klein has suggested that if we do not put a barrier in the path of the unprecedented rise in emissions and wrongfully perceive the threat of climate change, it will change everything about our world (Klein, 2014). The choice is ours, as we have to choose either to allow the climate change threat to change everything about our world or to make substantial changes in our economic set up. The basic perception of climate change in the eye of industrialized countries is nothing but a futile exercise to limit the overall growth. They strongly argue in favor of rampant economic boost and the acceleration of global capitalism that pay no respect to the idea of global warming. However, the science has proved that climate change is the mother of all problems faced by our world (Lane, 2014). The dilemma here is that the power to implement rules regarding the prevention of green house gas emission is in the hands of economic and political elements of our society. The only possible way to counter such powerful hands is to enhance the role of social mobilization. The question here is that whether Klein is right in saying that our economic system is moving against the rules of nature (Klein, 2011).
Talking about the renewable energy sources, she stressed the need of utilizing these resources, as they are efficient and capable of fulfilling our energy needs. A renewable source like water, wind, and solar power are viable alternates of fossil fuel, which have become cheaper and more efficient in the present era. The author has discussed that how imperative it is to act promptly unless it is too late to do anything (Lane, 2014). The crisis ahead is disastrous, and the clock is ticking; hence, there is hardly any time left to waste in mere discussions about how to avert the repercussions linked with climate change. It is true that it is not possible altogether to revamp our economic system and worldview. However, there are certain measures that are necessary to lower the emissions, and these should be taken right now. This particular challenge is for the whole humanity, and we are more or less not prepared for this even after noticeable damage has been so far caused by it to our eco system (Lane, 2014).
There are various national interests that preclude us from uniting against this threat in a manner we should have done in the past decades. Developing countries have their own reservation while the wealthy and developed countries are busy in strengthening their economic status. Apart from this, problems associated with over population and that of giving way to ‘super consumer’ in our trading sector has also been mentioned in this book.

Conclusion

It is imperative to mention here that this book does not provide assistance in providing climate justice for the developing world. However, it still draws our attention towards the fact that there is no credible way forward that doesn’t involve redressing the real root of poverty. The only weak aspect of this changes everything by Klein is the scarcity of helpful information with respect to renewable energy sources. Similarly, the viable renewable energy sources are hardly mentioned in this book. Nevertheless, sufficient discussion on geo-engineering and its discontentment of researchers in this matter is included. In addition, a bird’s eye view of the use of solar power by Native Americans and possible reinvestment of public money into renewable energy sources is available for the readers. This particular book has also raised a question about the possible connection between climate change and consumption. For this reason, China’s example is quoted that indicates its rise in emission in relation to increasing the production of products consumed by the western world. Despite Klein’s discussion in favor of ‘selective de-growth’ and comments against ‘wasteful consumption’, she failed to discuss the viability of prosperity in the absence of growth. Nevertheless, she has successfully portrayed a glimpse of hope that with the committed struggle and through unparallel efforts of environmental justice movements and social mobilization we can surely secure our future.

References

Klein, N. (2014). This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs.. The Climate. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Lane, A. (2014). This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate. Naomi Klein. Retrieved from http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/lsereviewofbooks/2014/11/17/book-review-this-changes-everything-capitalism-vs-the-climate-by-naomi-klein/
Klein, N. (2011). Capitalism vs . the Climate. The Nation, 1–35. Retrieved from http://valuesmessage.org/info/Capitalism vs the Climate.pdf