Coming to terms with nature

Socialist register 2007

Leo Panitch and Colin Leys, (eds), Merlin Press, 384 pages, paperback, £14.95

Most people in the labour movement recognise that there is a looming environmental crisis and that the root of it lies in capitalist market economics.

Global warming is a fact and wars between states seem more and more likely as disputes erupt over scarce resources.

This volume carefully argues what advances need to be made to develop an alternative approach. It is a collection of essays by international activists and academics, many with longstanding links to the labour movements of different countries, united by the need to develop a coherent socialist environmentalism.

It contains a valuable critique of emissions trading, green commerce and Kyoto, looking at the current possibilities of renewables such as wind and solar energy. This is a thought-provoking and worthwhile read.