Opinion Analysis by Roa Daher, Staff Writer

November 29th, 2020

The link between overpopulation and the climate crisis is undeniable, and to many, they even have a causal relationship. To many, overpopulation is the cause of the climate crisis. Instead of paying attention to how the carbon emissions of the richest 1% of humanity emit more than double the emissions of the poorest half of humanity, the focus is shifted to the population of China and the family size in India. Many even harbour these beliefs unconsciously, not fully processing or questioning the implications and consequences of such thoughts. The reality is that such beliefs are thoroughly rooted in privilege and sanctioned ignorance that deflects blame from us to them.

The unquestioned belief and claim that the poor minorities of the world are causing the planet to be overpopulated, even though this series established that overpopulation is a myth, has been and continues to be very dangerous. In fact, it was that very belief that led to the forced sterilisation, by Indira Gandhi’s government, of millions of the poorest in Indian society; this project was funded by the World Bank, the Swedish International Development Authority and the United Nations Population Fund in the 1970s. Such acts are far from restricted to India. 

In his book ‘The Population Myth’, Murray Bookchin explains, “if there is a ‘population problem’ and famine in Africa, it is the ordinary people who are to blame for having too many children or insisting on living too long — an argument advanced by Malthus nearly two centuries ago with respect to England’s poor. The viewpoint not only justifies privilege; it fosters brutalization and degrades the neo-Malthusians even more than it degrades the victims of privilege”.

Bookchin’s quote directly addresses the aforementioned reference to the privilege rooted in the belief in overpopulation, which leads us to talk about ecofascism.

Simply put, ecofascism is the child or right-wing extremism and environmentalism, combining concern for the well-being of our planet with blatant xenophobia and racism. Ecofascism directly blames climate change and other environmental crises on overpopulation and immingration, hence the ties to far-right groups. Even infamous white supremacists and neo-Nazis that have committed mass murders, like the Christchurch and El Paso shooters, subscribe to ecofascism.

This makes ecofascism sound very extremist and harmful, which it undeniably is, but echoing ecofascism sentiments unconsciously is becoming easier and easier. For instance, the simple belief in overpopulation for many is a gateway to ecofascism, even though the link between racism and overpopulation may not always be very explicit, it still exists. After all, implicit bias is present in all of us, whether we would like to believe or not.

Not only that, but many statements that have been made in relation to the pandemic and the planet healing itself, such as ‘humans are the virus’, are rooted in ecofascism though very few actively realise it. The explanation is as follows: such sweeping generalisations cast equal blame on all human beings, as if we are all consuming and thus emitting carbon at the same rate, when research shows that inequality is not restricted to wealth and income, but it also applies to emissions as the wealthiest in global society pollute the atmosphere more than twice as much the poorest half of the population. 

Not all humans impact the environment at the same level, so the blame must not be cast blindly. The same people who emit the least carbon will bear the brunt of climate change and consequently have to seek refuge in the highest-emitting countries that are somewhat shielded from extreme climate catastrophes that wipe out entire cities. Therefore, entertaining and enabling the sentiment that the Earth would be better off without humans is a dangerously easy gateway to ecofascism. 

The reality is that the Earth would be better off without a capitalistic system that prioritises profit over all— profit over the environment and profit over the people. Perhaps it is finally time to move away from a system in which only 100 corporations are responsible for 71% of emissions and to a system that prioritises the well-being of the environment of which humans are a part of. After all, chasing profit will only cut down the already little time we have left on this planet. The goal should not be limiting the population, an agenda that has historically proven racist and classist origins. The goal should be creating an egalitarian and inclusive society that is environmentally sustainable and honours the Earth and the resources it gives us. The path to this goal is impeded by ideologies that thrive on ignorance and bigotry, like ecofascism.

‘From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs’ might just be what we need.