Saving a Rainforest and Losing the World: Conservation and Displacement in the Global Tropics

The book investigates the false promises of land sparing, exposing how its illusory successes mask the failures of green capitalism. It reveals that land sparing policies transform landscapes and livelihoods, but the promise of reconciling agricultural development with environmental conservation is false. The failure of land sparing exposes the harsh truth behind assurances of green capitalism: capitalist development is ecocide.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 14 May 2024
Publisher: Yale University Press

For over two decades, the concept of land sparing has held a prominent position in tropical forest conservation, promising to reconcile agricultural development with environmental preservation. However, this promise is deceptive and ultimately futile. In his groundbreaking book, "The False Promise of Land Sparing: How Its Illusory Successes Mask the Failures of Green Capitalism," Gregory M. Thaler delves into a comprehensive investigation of this concept. Through six years of extensive research on agrarian frontiers in Indonesia, Brazil, and Bolivia, Thaler meticulously traces the origins and implementation of land sparing policies and analyzes their social and ecological consequences.

Thaler's research reveals that land sparing appears successful in certain contexts, but its purported benefits are merely illusory. He demonstrates that rather than preventing deforestation, land sparing policies often result in the displacement of deforestation to new frontiers, leading to the expansion of agricultural activities into previously untouched areas. This displacement not only undermines environmental conservation efforts but also exacerbates social and economic inequalities, as marginalized communities bear the brunt of the ecological and social impacts.

The failure of land sparing exposes a harsh reality behind the assurances of green capitalism: capitalist development is ecocide. Thaler argues that the pursuit of economic growth and profit at the expense of the environment is not sustainable and ultimately leads to the destruction of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity. He calls for a shift towards a more holistic and sustainable approach to development, one that recognizes the intrinsic value of nature and seeks to balance economic growth with environmental protection.

Thaler's book is a powerful indictment of the false promises of land sparing and the detrimental consequences of green capitalism. It provides a critical analysis of the policies and practices that have contributed to deforestation and environmental degradation and offers a roadmap for a more sustainable and equitable future. By challenging the dominant narrative of land sparing and exposing the underlying ecocidal nature of capitalist development, Thaler's book is a must-read for anyone interested in promoting sustainable development and protecting the planet's natural resources.

Weight: 452g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300272482