Akshat Rathi: Capitalism broke the climate. Now it can fix it

Capitalism broke the climate. Now it can fix it

We can blame capitalism for worsening the climate crisis, says journalist Akshat Rathi, but we can also use it to create the solutions we need for the mess we're in. He details how “climate capitalism” — the strategic use of market forces and government policies to make polluting the planet cost more than advancing climate solutions — can flip the script and actually make sustainability profitable.

Harnessing market forces and smart government policies can turn capitalism from climate culprit to climate hero. In India, affordable rooftop solar became possible through a blend of profit-driven business and targeted subsidies. Worldwide, the price of solar power dropped 90 percent in a decade, making clean energy accessible even in low-income countries. By aligning people, policy, and technology, societies can make sustainability profitable and urgent enough to scale.