In his book, Defiant Earth, Clive Hamilton argues humans are at the center of the world, thus we are responsible for protecting the Earth system. He says, “human activity has modified the Earth’s processes so radically that we have disrupted the great forces of nature…so much so that it has shifted into a new geological epoch,” (51) reinforcing the view of humans as central in the Earth system. However, the following sentence claims “we do not have dominion over the Earth and it is folly to attempt to exert control over the Earth system (by way of planetary-scale geoengineering, for example)” (51). To me, this is a contradiction. If humans are the dominant species and are so incredibly powerful that they have thrown the planet into a new geological epoch, then how can one claim that we do not have dominion over the Earth?
If we can “disrupt the great forces of nature,” why can’t we do so in the fight against climate change? He argues throughout the book that technology will either have too small an impact or have dangerous unintended consequences. I disagree. While it is important to change social systems and unite politically at the global level to address the issue of climate change, technology is our only hope if we want to maintain our current lifestyles.
The way to stop burning fossil fuels is to make renewable energy cheaper. Renewables are the fastest-growing source of electricity, and solar recently became cheaper than coal (www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Renewable_Infrastructure_Investment_Handbook.pdf). These trends signify movement away from fossil fuels would not occur without the falling price of all sustainable energy sources. Simultaneously, electric cars are rapidly increasing in popularity, not because of social change but because Elon Musk and others dedicated their lives to making them better than traditional cars in every way! Hamilton underestimates the positive power of technology. It was particularly disappointing that he didn’t mention artificial intelligence at all, considering it will soon outperform the human mind he holds so highly, and either destroy us or help us greatly.