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Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 02:50 PM Aug 2014

Our economic model is at war with life on Earth. Naomi Klien's new book

The book's title is not elusive: 'This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate'

Due for release in September, the anticipated new work by Canadian journalist, activist and public intellectual Naomi Klein has now been previewed in a video trailer that appears to lay out its main themes and central argument.

"In December of 2012, a complex systems scientists walked up to the podium at the American Geophysics Union to present a paper," the narrator of the video—Klein herself—says as footage begins of urban high rise developments and burnt out croplands.

And the voice-over continues:

The paper was titled, "Is the Earth Fucked?" His answer was: "Yeah. Pretty much."

That's where the road we're on is taking us, but that has less to do with carbon than with capitalism.

Our economic model is at war with life on Earth.

We can't change the laws of nature, but we can change our broken economy.

And that's why climate change isn't just a disaster. It's also our best chance to demand—and build—a better world.

Change or be changed. But make no mistake... this changes everything.

Watch:







This Changes Everything is a "brilliant explanation of why the climate crisis challenges us to abandon the core 'free market' ideology of our time, restructure the global economy, and remake our political systems."

Described as more important and further-reaching than her previous best-seller, The Shock Doctrine, Klein's new book will argue

that climate change isn’t just another issue to be neatly filed between taxes and health care.

It’s an alarm that calls us to fix an economic system that is already failing us in many ways.

Klein meticulously builds the case for how massively reducing our greenhouse emissions is our best chance to simultaneously reduce gaping inequalities, re-imagine our broken democracies, and rebuild our gutted local economies.

She exposes the ideological desperation of the climate-change deniers, the messianic delusions of the would-be geoengineers, and the tragic defeatism of too many mainstream green initiatives.

Those arguments won't be new to those who have followed Klein's work—and the similar arguments of many others in recent years—but the expectation is that as with her previous exploration of modern capitalism in the Shock Doctrine, Klein will present her most rounded and complete vision for the predicament of the moment and her vision for the future.

In a speech to one of Canada's largest labor unions last year, Klein told the members of UNIFOR that it was well past time that working people and industrial interests get their minds around what the climate science is dictating to humanity about the current economic model of corporate-dominated global capitalism.

She also discussed her idea that climate change should not be framed as a disaster, but as an enormous opportunity to reshape the political paradigm and the fight for global justice. She told the crowd of workers:


http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/08/naomi-klein-our-economic-model-war-life-earth

42 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Our economic model is at war with life on Earth. Naomi Klien's new book (Original Post) Ichingcarpenter Aug 2014 OP
exponential growth is the defining characteristic of a bomb. n/t PowerToThePeople Aug 2014 #1
Well I don't know if it's........ socialist_n_TN Aug 2014 #32
cell growth can be exponential PowerToThePeople Aug 2014 #35
And of cancer... volstork Aug 2014 #41
Yes malaise Aug 2014 #2
Ditto. The greatest shortcoming of mankind is its inability to understand the exponential curve. BelgianMadCow Aug 2014 #29
Good to see you malaise Aug 2014 #30
I want to read this! NJCher Aug 2014 #3
It's not until September 16 after the weekend of the march. littlemissmartypants Aug 2014 #24
We've Known this for Some Time mckara Aug 2014 #4
The whole time I was growing up as as baby-boomer, cilla4progress Aug 2014 #28
I Agree mckara Aug 2014 #42
Looking forward to her new book. lovemydog Aug 2014 #5
Indeed, they were among the most profound books of their time. arcane1 Aug 2014 #8
So true. They influenced me on a personal level. lovemydog Aug 2014 #17
Thanks,and likewise! I first heard about her right here on DU arcane1 Aug 2014 #31
I can't wait for this. I delayed my visit back home by one day so I can read this on the plane. arcane1 Aug 2014 #6
Naomi Klein is a hero Auggie Aug 2014 #7
Seriously. littlemissmartypants Aug 2014 #13
Recommend..and thanks. n/t Jefferson23 Aug 2014 #9
One of the few sane humans on the planet K&R n/t whatchamacallit Aug 2014 #10
K&R DeSwiss Aug 2014 #11
Thanks for shining a light. eom littlemissmartypants Aug 2014 #15
K&R JEB Aug 2014 #12
Is it out? littlemissmartypants Aug 2014 #14
September 16. lovemydog Aug 2014 #18
Thanks for your post. nt littlemissmartypants Aug 2014 #20
YW. Have a great weekend lovemydog Aug 2014 #23
This is another thing I love about radical feminism. redqueen Aug 2014 #16
I concur. nt littlemissmartypants Aug 2014 #22
This Changes Everything lovemydog Aug 2014 #19
K&R ReRe Aug 2014 #21
Kicked and recommeded. Uncle Joe Aug 2014 #25
K & R! Can't wait! RufusTFirefly Aug 2014 #26
Klein. Thanks for posting! JackRiddler Aug 2014 #27
K&R woo me with science Aug 2014 #33
Trotsky one time said that the choice was "socialism or barbarism"....... socialist_n_TN Aug 2014 #34
Bookmarked n/t Martin Eden Aug 2014 #36
Don't worry. The rich can afford to buy security and comfort. Octafish Aug 2014 #37
Kicked and recommended! Enthusiast Aug 2014 #38
One of the most important 2naSalit Aug 2014 #39
Ah so, the powers behind capitalist system are afraid that if we... TRoN33 Aug 2014 #40
 

PowerToThePeople

(9,610 posts)
35. cell growth can be exponential
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 06:33 PM
Aug 2014

depending how fast they die off. In a stable system you have 1:1 replacement.

BelgianMadCow

(5,379 posts)
29. Ditto. The greatest shortcoming of mankind is its inability to understand the exponential curve.
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 05:52 PM
Aug 2014
malaise
 

mckara

(1,708 posts)
4. We've Known this for Some Time
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 03:54 PM
Aug 2014

I'm so happy more people are becoming aware of the problem's source: unfettered capitalism.

Let's hope it's not too late.

cilla4progress

(24,777 posts)
28. The whole time I was growing up as as baby-boomer,
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 05:45 PM
Aug 2014

I questioned why bigger and more was always better. I always felt out of step.

I questioned the entire economic model, and have lived my life as an adult in part as an expression of that objection to the mainstream ethic...thought not in whole.

Very gratifying to know I'm not alone!

 

mckara

(1,708 posts)
42. I Agree
Mon Aug 11, 2014, 05:49 PM
Aug 2014

It seems that people have little understanding of how economic policies effect politics and our lives. It's really sad to realize how intellectually shallow our public discourse is in this country. It's very frustrating!

 

arcane1

(38,613 posts)
8. Indeed, they were among the most profound books of their time.
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 04:33 PM
Aug 2014

I've read Shock Doctrine four times already, and nearly every page is dog-eared at this point

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
17. So true. They influenced me on a personal level.
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 05:10 PM
Aug 2014

I take black magic marker and blot out logos on my stuff, ever since reading No Logo. It's fun, and reduces clutter in my brain. Agree with you that they were both among the most profound books of their time. I'm so glad that here at DU I find others like you across the world, arcane1. It's also amazing when I find and befriend folks like that here in my little community in the southwest. We all learn from each other in person and on the web! After reading here and other places on the web about solar panels, I'm scheduling a visit with some friends who have done it and have gotten away from being tied to a monopolistic power company. I feel like Naomi Klein truly influenced all our thinking and acting in that regard. Her books really make you feel less powerless. Toward taking small steps that make you feel better about your relationship with our world. That's probably the most profound aspect of her writing. Encouraging the reader to act in a way that makes your life richer & more meaningful & enjoyable. This new one looks sure to do the same! Thank you for your posts!

 

arcane1

(38,613 posts)
31. Thanks,and likewise! I first heard about her right here on DU
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 06:00 PM
Aug 2014

I was 10 years late in reading No Logo but that didn't change the effect at all

I still love this place!

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
18. September 16.
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 05:15 PM
Aug 2014

The hardcover version is 22 bucks. The kindle version is 10 bucks. I'm looking into buying a kindle and this might be what spurs me to get one. I figure over the long run I might save money, particularly if I can stream movies from it.

lovemydog

(11,833 posts)
19. This Changes Everything
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 05:17 PM
Aug 2014

Great title!

It's sure to join the ranks of No Logo and The Shock Doctrine. Game-changing.

socialist_n_TN

(11,481 posts)
34. Trotsky one time said that the choice was "socialism or barbarism".......
Sat Aug 9, 2014, 06:30 PM
Aug 2014

It seems it rapidly approaching "socialism or extinction".

2naSalit

(86,804 posts)
39. One of the most important
Sun Aug 10, 2014, 12:23 PM
Aug 2014

truth-telling authors of our time!!

Can't wait to read it for ideas on making change in a more positive direction.

Thanks for the announcement.

2na.

 

TRoN33

(769 posts)
40. Ah so, the powers behind capitalist system are afraid that if we...
Sun Aug 10, 2014, 12:50 PM
Aug 2014

Are able to afford solar panels, wind turbines, and hydro energies that would radically alter the economy power tilt toward middle class??

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