Kate Aronoff - Overheated: How capitalism broke the planet and how we fight back

By far the best of the recent batch of books on climate change, this is an explicit attempt to demonstrate why capitalism drives climate change and what the alternative is. It's strengths are that it places the crisis central to the economic system, but also links in wider questions of racial injustice, colonialism and the financial system with these. Aronoff is arguing for a more just, more equitable society - but also one where people work less, are paid more and don't have to worry about housing, education or bringing up the kids. The problem is that there is no strategy to get this.

The excellent critique of neo-liberalism isn't extended to wider capitalism, which leaves the reader speculating that things would be better if we hadn't had Thatcher or Reagan. Even under capitalism we might win many of the reforms that Aronoff proposes - and have better, more sustainable lives - but she doesn't offer the reader any discussion of how we might win: Despite acknowledging the role of the capitalist state in blocking social and environmental change. As Naomi Klein once wrote, only mass movements can save us now. Sadly this book misses an opportunity to explore this further, which is a shame particularly as Aronoff frequently talks about the importance of workers and their organisations. 

You can read my full review of this and other recent climate books here.