Billionaires' 'Techno-Fixes' Emerge as New Form of Climate Denial

According to the article, the pace of ecological change is accelerating, with the rise of 'techno-fixes' emerging as a new form of climate denial. Billionaires from Silicon Valley are proposing grand technological solutions like solar geoengineering, but these initiatives are driven by profit and hostile to regulations, ignoring the need to reduce emissions and ensure environmental justice.

The article also emphasizes the crucial role of the 'environmentalism of the poor,' both urban and rural, in conservation efforts. As ecosystems degrade, the poor are most vulnerable and often make difficult choices to protect the environment and ensure their survival. This perspective has long been overlooked, with the assumption that the automatic spokesperson for nature would be a white person from the Global North.

Furthermore, the article examines the troubling legacy of racial segregation and exclusion in colonial conservation practices, particularly in southern and eastern Africa. There was a stark contrast in how white 'hunters' and black 'poachers' were perceived, despite engaging in the same activities. The focus on charismatic megafauna for tourism also led to the displacement of local communities and the disruption of ecosystems.