The environmental crisis in contemporary capitalism

Abstract

This article addresses the global environmental crisis through the lens of the Marxist critique of labour exploitation. It also examines the concept of sustainability, which is central to contemporary environmental discourse. Based on the observations of economist Roberto Moreira, I argue that applying this concept from Ecology to social relations introduces epistemological, sociological, and political challenges by overlooking the role of labour in mediating the relationship between humans and nature, as well as the conflict between social classes. To illustrate this, I begin with a reflection on the Marxian perspective regarding the interaction between humans and nature, and the detrimental environmental consequences of labour exploitation and alienation.