Best of #BeyondGrowth 2023 - Vandana Shiva

Summary

This transcript presents a passionate critique of the commodification of nature and the colonial history that shaped modern economic systems. The speaker connects the protection of biodiversity to the struggle against market-driven forces that devalue life. They emphasize the importance of understanding nature as a complex, self-organizing system, rather than a commodity to be extracted. The speaker critiques the rise of financialization in conservation, calling for a return to a more holistic view of the economy rooted in respect for the rights of ecosystems and indigenous peoples. Ultimately, they advocate for an economy that prioritizes the flow of life over money.

Takeaways

• 😀 Biodiversity is not a commodity or market asset; it is a self-organizing, life-creating force that cannot be separated from the complexity of living systems.
• 😀 Life is not like a machine or a market; it is rooted in self-organization, ecological balance, and symbiosis, reflecting quantum non-locality and interconnectedness.
• 😀 Colonialism has historically exploited and commodified nature, creating systems of extraction that lead to ecological degradation, poverty, and the separation of humans from nature.
• 😀 The concept of 'growth' has been tied to the exploitation of natural resources and people, and this extractionist model continues today, despite claims of sustainability and ecological conservation.
• 😀 'Nature-based solutions' are not a new phenomenon; they echo colonial systems that commodified ecosystems and enslaved people to extract resources, such as cotton and indigo.
• 😀 True economics should be rooted in the care of ecosystems and the flow of life, not in money-making schemes that commodify and exploit the planet's resources.
• 😀 The growth of financial markets and commodification of nature continue to worsen biodiversity loss, as profit motives override ecological health and the rights of indigenous communities.
• 😀 Indigenous people and local communities have been the traditional stewards of biodiversity, and their knowledge should be honored as a foundation for sustainable life systems.
• 😀 The financialization of nature, like creating 'natural asset companies', treats ecosystems as property to be bought and sold, further undermining the intrinsic value of nature and its relationship to indigenous people.
• 😀 The exploitation of nature for financial profit—such as carbon credits and ecosystem services—leads to the degradation of ecosystems, the displacement of communities, and the extinction of biodiversity, which is driven by industrial and financial systems.

Q & A

What is the speaker's perspective on biodiversity and its significance?

The speaker views biodiversity as a self-organizing, autopoietic process, integral to life itself. They describe it as life generating life through complexity, collective agency, and evolutionary unfolding, which is in harmony with quantum non-locality and ecological systems.

How does the speaker critique the concept of commodifying nature?

The speaker argues that commodifying nature, including its resources and ecosystems, leads to ecological and social harm. They assert that this commodification, which is rooted in colonial practices, separates humans from nature and disregards the intrinsic worth and integrity of ecosystems.

What historical context does the speaker provide regarding colonialism and its impact on India?

The speaker highlights how British colonialism exploited India's resources, turning land into private property, and extracted vast wealth from the country, reducing it from 25% of the global economy to just 2%. This economic extraction was linked to ecological degradation and social inequality.

How does the speaker define 'currency' in relation to life?

The speaker redefines currency, not as money, but as the flow of life-sustaining processes, such as water, energy, and nutrition cycles. They argue that the true currency of life is the flow that sustains ecosystems and human life, rather than the financial markets.

What does the speaker suggest is the root cause of ecological problems?

The speaker argues that ecological problems are rooted in the colonial mindset, which viewed nature as a commodity to be exploited. This separation of humans from nature has led to systems that extract from the earth without regard for sustainability or the wellbeing of future generations.

What role does the speaker believe indigenous people play in biodiversity protection?

The speaker emphasizes that indigenous people, who have lived in harmony with the land, are key to protecting biodiversity. They argue that indigenous knowledge and practices should be recognized and valued, as these communities have long understood their role as part of an 'earth family' rather than as masters of nature.

How does the speaker critique the financialization of nature?

The speaker criticizes the financialization of nature, where natural assets are treated as commodities for profit. They argue that this approach undermines the intrinsic value of ecosystems, denies the rights of nature and indigenous people, and continues the colonial tradition of exploitation.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the negative impacts of commodifying natural resources?

The speaker references the Chipko movement in India, where women protested the replacement of diverse natural forests with monoculture timber plantations, highlighting how commodification of natural resources disrupts ecosystems and displaces local communities.

What is the speaker’s view on the concept of 'natural asset companies' (NSCs)?

The speaker criticizes NSCs, which treat natural assets like carbon sequestration and clean water as commodities to be managed for profit. They argue that this approach commodifies ecosystems and continues the cycle of exploitation, ultimately threatening biodiversity and local communities.

What is the speaker's call to action regarding the future of the planet?

The speaker calls for a paradigm shift, urging people to move away from financializing nature and to instead respect the rights of Mother Earth and all species. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all life and embracing indigenous knowledge to foster a real economy based on living systems.