The Great Adaptation: Climate, Capitalism and Catastrophe

by Romain Felli

The Great Adaptation tells the story of how scientists, governments and corporations have tried to deal with the challenge that climate change poses to capitalism by promoting adaptation to its consequences, rather than combating its causes. Since the 1970s, neoliberal economists and ideologues have used climate change as an argument for creating more “flexibility” in society, for promoting more market-based solutions to environmental and social questions. This book unveils the political economy of this potent movement, showing how some powerful actors are thriving in the face of dangerous climate change and even making a profit out of it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Climate Change, Environment, History, Ecology, Nature

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2016

Reviews

[Philemon - · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat dated but still interesting examination of capitalism's interrelationship with climate change from 1970 to 2015. There's a tension in the book as it tries to decide whether capitalism is ontologically more basic than climate change or vice versa. The earlier capitalist view was that while climate change appeared to be a real threat, the solution had to be global, and therefore there was no practical solution to be had. In this capitalists were completely correct. On the other hand, the CEOs fooled themselves into believing CC would take 150 years to become a real problem. As we know now, it's already burgeoned into a full-blown threat to civilization. 2015 seems a long ago, long-gone innocent time.

[Javier Avilés · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro muy lúcido aunque a veces me dió la impresión de que la traducción no era la mejor. extrapolando sobre la tradición marxista, Felli nos invita a pensar que el capitalismo tiene la capacidad de adaptarse y que si ahora las fuerzas del mercado anuncian que las fuentes renovables de energía son imperativas, el Capital buscará depredar estas mientras continúa consumiendo los combustibles fósiles.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read makes a strong case that the concept of "climate adaptation" is a very dangerous framing of handling climate change, with historical roots that go back very far. It's a fairly academic read, but engaging and well-written.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

lotta info

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, really
(he says, having become this year spoiled by Letterboxd)