How the rich are destroying the earth

Alternatives Journal, August, 2009 by Nicola Ross

How the Rich Are Destroying the Earth, Herve Kempf.

Want to save the planet? Go after the rich, recommends Le Monde journalist Herve Kempf in this extraordinary little book. Kempf draws upon the wisdom of obscure 19th century American economist Thorstein Veblen, who observed that needs are not infinite. Kempf explains that ecological and social crises are in fact one problem, which results from a system of power intended to maintain the privileges of the ruling classes. To save the planet, we must abandon our reliance on growth by severely reducing the consumption model of the leisure class.