This 2014 book has been so successful in popularizing the idea that capitalism and environmentalism are totally unreconcilable—that the question is no longer, “is the premise of this book right or not?” (because it is). The question is, “is this worth reading, 10 years later?”

And… Yes and No?

For a “Yes”: (and I mean this in the most ‘no shade’ way possible) if you’re someone who thinks environmentalism is possible within a capitalist framework; ie. buying organic, electric cars, going on vacation by train rather than plane, buying solar panels etc etc. This book deeply challenges that mindset and you’ll find it really rewarding.

But if you’re in the “Nope, we need to regulate the crap out of these sectors, nationalize energy and transportation industries, and massively redistribute wealth” camp (hello, Comrade) then it could be more of a “No.” Because a) the environmental strategy still felt too piecemeal in this one (lobbying Obama here, backing Indigenous land claims there). And b) there was a bit of lingering naïveté to Klein’s hope in mainstream leftwing parties.

This book needed more of that ‘Greta Thunberg calling a 2021 climate summit Blah Blah Blah’™️ energy. More cynicism. More anger. And a more comprehensive/collective liberation oriented environmental strategy.