From a Marxist Perspective: To What Extent are Humans Responsible for the Current Ecological Crisis and What are the Effects?

The question being addressed is adapted from Murray Bookchin’s book ‘Remaking Society,’ with the following short transcript being the basis for the question:

“What do you think is to blame for the current ecological crisis?”

“Human beings! People are responsible for the ecological crisis!”

“Do you mean people such as blacks, women and the oppressed are causing ecological imbalances – not corporations, agribusinesses, ruling elites and the State?”

“Yes, people. Everyone, they overpopulate the earth, pollute the planet, devour its resources, they are greedy. That’s why corporations exist – to give people what they want”.  (Bookchin, 1990)

Thus, throughout this paper, Bookchin’s view that humans are responsible for the current ecological crisis will be discussed alongside the Marxist perspective and the extent to which they are to blame will be concluded. Before this can even be considered, the assumption that we are actually in an ecological crisis needs to be reviewed.

It is important to define exactly what is meant by an ‘ecological crisis’, so for the purpose of this paper the following will be used: “An ecological crisis occurs when the environment of a species or a population changes in a way that destabilizes its continued survival.” (Adapted from Bookchin, 1990.)

There are many factors that can contribute to a breakdown in the ecological balance of the planet. Changes in abiotic factors such as increased temperature or lower rainfall can degrade the quality of an environment to certain species making in unsuitable to frequent. Increased pressure through predation can also cause an environment to become unfavourable for the survival of a species or an entire population. Overpopulation is yet another factor that could make an environment unbefitting for various species, or indeed the entire population covering a number of species.

One of the key issues in relation to the ecological crisis is that of climate change, caused by global warming. Human influence has arguable been pivotal in the rise of global warming and thus a crucial abiotic factor. Climate change is starting to have major impacts on ecosystems. As the below graph shows, over the last 125 years (since mass industrialisation of developed economies) global temperature has risen by an average of around one degree Celsius. Hence, ecosystems have had change to cope with the increase in temperature. Consequently, many species are being driven out of their natural habitats or even becoming extinct.