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Naomi Klein: This Changes Everything (2014, Simon & Schuster) 4 stars

In This Changes Everything Naomi Klein argues that climate change isn’t just another issue to …

Review of 'This changes everything : capitalism vs. the climate' on Goodreads

4 stars

Great update to Klein's research and thinking on the clash between neoliberalism/globalization and the world. I wish this were a shorter book, it gets its weight from solid story upon scary story rather than strong argument and call to action, but the message is ultimately clear and simple and well-stated for this moment: 1. We have to leave a lot of oil, coal, and gas in the ground starting right now. 2. This will destroy a lot of current wealth and power, as well as the logic of a consumptive/global/growth economy. 3. So those in power, but also the current environmental-focused groups and billionaire technologists, won't save us - the status quo is too bent in their direction. 4. We need direct action, divestment, and embracing the unity of the left's economic demands. This isn't an environmental issue in isolation, and the structural changes and societal support the climate disaster demands share so much in common with global equity, racial equity, and a strong support net that the right is closer to reality in seeing this as a perfect issue for advancing a socialist hell than the left is in hoping for a green tech silver bullet that won't inconvenience the current structures of power.