Toxic Futures

This is a moment of major and rapid historical change. The global elite - what used to be called the ruling class - are confronted by crises to which they have no credible response. First, the economic and political system presided over by the US is in turbulent decline. Second, within the next few years global oil production will be in decline and, with the 'easy oil' gone, energy production is dirtier than ever. Third, climate change is gathering momentum and is just one aspect of a broader environmental crisis which threatens human survival. Toxic Futures is about the world brought into being through the collusion of state and corporate power. Maintaining profit has relied on institutionalised fraud on the one hand and a war on the poor and on the environment on the other. This significant and timely book locates South Africa in the crisis and explores the implications for environmental, social and economic justice. It concludes that another world is inevitable. Whether people allow the political and economic elite to lead them into a world of growing destruction or take charge to create a world of mutual solidarity is the central challenge of the age.

'Reading Toxic Futures will change your life. Connecting brilliant analysis, extensive research, and fired with indignation, it will deepen your understanding of our crisis-ridden world and perhaps even inspire you to join the struggle for environmental and social justice' Jacklyn Cock, Professor Emeritus, University of the Witwatersrand.

David Hallowes is an independent researcher who works mainly with civil society organisations committed to social justice. His work has crossed a number of sectors including environment, social justice, land and agrarian transformation and labour and organisational development. He has written extensively on environmental justice, notably in The groundWork Report, an annual publication exploring the state of environmental (in)justice.