Electricity, a ubiquitous feature of modern life, often sparks mundane conversations about cost-saving strategies. Beyond its practical applications, however, lies a deeper significance, one that resonates with Elin Wägner’s 1941 warning about the ”herravälde” mindset. This mindset, mirroring patriarchal dominance, sees nature as a resource to be exploited, a perspective dangerously evident in the widespread embrace of electrification as the sole solution to climate change. Wägner argued that humanity’s health is inextricably linked to the Earth’s, a holistic view that challenges the narrow focus on technological fixes. Her critique extends beyond the simple replacement of fossil-fuel vehicles with electric ones, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the entire planetary system, including food production and soil health.
The current economic model, as highlighted by Brett Christophers in his book ”The Price is Wrong,” incentivizes the continued exploitation of fossil fuels. While solar and wind energy have become cheaper due to large-scale production, particularly in China, the profit margins for fossil fuels remain significantly higher. This disparity creates a perverse incentive for energy companies to prioritize short-term profits over long-term planetary health, perpetuating the destructive cycle of extraction and combustion. This profit-driven system undermines efforts to transition to sustainable energy sources, highlighting the inherent limitations of relying solely on market forces to address the climate crisis. The urgency of the situation demands a fundamental shift in how we value and price natural resources, moving beyond the simplistic equation of supply and demand.
Wägner’s prescient warning, published 83 years ago, resonates powerfully in our current era of escalating climate catastrophes, from devastating hurricanes and wildfires to geopolitical conflicts. The pursuit of economic growth at all costs, a mantra embraced by political leaders across the spectrum, has become intertwined with anthropocentrism, the belief in human supremacy over nature. This ideology prioritizes financial gains over ecological well-being, exemplified by the perverse notion that it’s a human right to be wealthy, even at the expense of environmental degradation. This distorted value system allows for the destruction of natural habitats for short-term economic benefits, epitomized by the prioritization of financial spreadsheets over the preservation of pristine forests.
Nina Björk, a contemporary inheritor of Wägner’s intellectual legacy, echoes her critique of the commodification of nature in her book ”Medan vi lever” (While We Live). Björk challenges the flawed logic of assigning monetary value to irreplaceable natural assets like rivers and forests, exposing the inherent limitations of economic models that fail to account for the intrinsic value of ecological systems. The relentless pursuit of profit maximization, she argues, overrides crucial considerations like preventing natural disasters, a stark reminder of the inadequacy of economic frameworks that prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. The question posed by Björk – ”What good is an oil fund of a million per capita when you are buried six meters under mud?” – underscores the futility of prioritizing wealth accumulation over ecological security.
Wägner’s critique of anthropocentrism and her advocacy for planetary integrity resonate deeply with contemporary ecofeminist perspectives. She envisioned a world that prioritized ecological balance and social justice, challenging the dominant paradigm of human dominance over nature. Her observations about the interconnectedness of ecological and social issues prefigure contemporary understandings of environmental justice, highlighting the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on marginalized communities. The draining of wetlands during her lifetime, a practice she condemned as an encroachment on nature’s rights, serves as a potent example. Today, we recognize the devastating consequences of such actions, understanding that drained wetlands release significant amounts of greenhouse gases, contributing to the climate crisis.
Wägner’s vision of a sustainable future, articulated in her 1941 book ”Väckarklocka,” emphasizes the importance of prioritizing fundamental human needs within ecological limits. She envisioned a society that valued clean water, healthy food, decent housing, and access to nature, emphasizing the importance of living in harmony with natural rhythms. This perspective challenges the prevailing consumerist culture that prioritizes material accumulation over ecological well-being and social justice. Her call for a ”functionalist poverty,” prioritizing essential needs over superfluous consumption, resonates powerfully in our current era of ecological overshoot and social inequality. This vision, formulated amidst the backdrop of World War II, emphasizes the interconnectedness of peace, simplicity, and ecological sustainability.
