A new book by Andreas Malm and Wim Carton challenges the reliance on technology to address climate change, arguing it perpetuates fossil fuel dependency. Titled 'The Long Heat,' the work examines how carbon removal strategies enable continued emissions. Grist's review highlights its urgent call for systemic change.
Andreas Malm and Wim Carton, in their 2024 book 'The Long Heat' published by Verso Books, offer a sharp critique of what they term 'climate capitalism.' The authors contend that technological solutions, particularly carbon removal technologies, create a deceptive 'carbon normal' where high emissions persist while efforts focus on extracting CO2 from the atmosphere.
The review in Grist, written by Kate Yoder, describes the book as a blend of historical analysis and forward-looking warnings. Malm and Carton trace the roots of this issue to the fossil fuel revolution, drawing parallels between past industrial shifts and today's geoengineering proposals. They argue that direct air capture and similar tech, often promoted by billionaires and corporations, serve as a safety valve for capitalism rather than a genuine path to decarbonization.
A key quote from the book, as highlighted in the review, states: 'The authors call this the "carbon normal," a state in which emissions continue unabated while the world scrambles to suck CO2 out of the atmosphere.' This concept underscores their view that such technologies delay the necessary abandonment of fossil fuels.
The book also critiques specific projects, like ocean fertilization and solar geoengineering, warning of unintended ecological consequences. Malm, a Swedish scholar known for works on energy transitions, and Carton, a Belgian researcher, emphasize that true climate action requires dismantling capitalist structures that prioritize profit over planetary health.
Yoder's review praises the book's accessibility, noting its 200-page length makes complex ideas approachable. However, it points out the authors' Marxist lens might polarize readers seeking neutral policy discussions. Overall, 'The Long Heat' positions itself as a manifesto against greenwashing, urging a 'degrowth' approach to avert catastrophic warming.
The review situates the book within ongoing debates, especially as global carbon removal pledges grow ahead of climate summits. By focusing on power dynamics, Malm and Carton provide context for why emissions have not declined despite decades of awareness.