The panel aims to examine the dialectical relations between environment and capitalism. The polemics centering on the ever-expanding nature of capitalism and finite resources of environment reveal the inner contradictions. Capitalism has in-built characteristics to exploit environment in the name of development. From deforestation to soil degradation to air pollution to earthquake-- name a few! On the other hand, to be green means to protect the nature. How these two contradictory tendencies, namely, capitalism and nature/environment go hand in hand? Thus, the question arises regarding ecological preservation by making it a market-based enterprise. The panel seeks papers to unravel the appropriation of the solution of nature’s exploitation by Green Capitalism and thereby commodifying everything green and putting big capital into business of green to save the planet. The paper underlines that Green Capitalism keeps its economic system, i.e. capitalism intact and simultaneously always in search of the market and captures the market in the name of making it green or environment friendly. To understand this contradiction, Marx’s concept of ‘metabolic rift’ would be the basic theoretical framework in this panel. Expansion of capitalism necessitates the exploitation of environment. The anti-thesis of capitalism and protection of environment came to the fore in the last few decades and situates itself in the core of the planetary crisis. As profit is the main driver of capitalism along with accumulation and further investment, it would be interesting to explore further with the following sub-themes and beyond:
The panel invites papers on the following sub- themes and beyond:
Marx’s Concept of Metabolic Rift
Profit and Sustainability of Environment
Capitalism and Climate Crisis
Financialization of Ecology
Big Capital into Green Business
Green Washing
Failure of Green Capitalism