The Dark Side of Environmentalism - Unintended Consequences

A Nuanced Look at Environmental Action in Kim Stanley Robinson’s “The Ministry for the Future”

Kim Stanley Robinson’s novel, “The Ministry for the Future,” doesn’t offer an endorsement of ecoterrorism. Indeed, the text largely sidesteps direct engagement with the topic throughout its extensive length. However, the darker elements of radical action serve as a crucial catalyst for Earth’s transition toward a peaceful and sustainable future, as envisioned within the narrative.

The Subtlety of Sabotage

The novel presents an unusual structure for a plot-driven story. Acts of sabotage – targeting airplanes and sinking cargo vessels – are often presented as background news reports or casual dialogue between characters. The group known as the Children of Kali, mentioned briefly and through rumor, employs violent tactics to compel a shift from the plutocratic capitalist class toward a net-zero carbon economy.

Recent years have witnessed a growing degree of sympathy for ecoterrorism among authors, coinciding with the escalating climate crisis. Richard Powers, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Overstory,” portrayed characters who resort to violent acts to protect the planet and subsequently grapple with the consequences.

Historical Precedents and Ethical Dilemmas

The theme isn’t entirely new. Even prior to the events of 9/11, which largely silenced such portrayals, the concept appeared in works like Square’s 1997 release, Final Fantasy VII. This influential game featured a cell of ecoterrorists striving to save the planet from the exploitative Shinra Electric Power Company.

Robinson deliberately avoids the complex ethical questions surrounding violent revolution, and the intense emotional turmoil experienced by individuals who believe that causing harm is a justifiable means of planetary salvation. Instead, he crafts a broad, ambitious work that examines the obstacles to achieving a carbon-free future, ultimately suggesting that humanity can succeed, aided by occasional, off-page acts of force.

A Comprehensive, Speculative Vision

As a work of speculative fiction, “The Ministry for the Future” is characterized by extensive speculation, encompassing a remarkably wide range of topics. Discussions delve into areas such as economic discount rates, blockchain technology, glacier movements, central bank policies, scientific bureaucracy, Swiss governance, and Earth’s albedo, among others. It functions as a detailed policy proposal, presented within a sprawling narrative spanning decades – and a far more engaging proposal than any traditional policy document.

The novel evokes the adage that many professions, including diplomacy, are largely defined by periods of monotony punctuated by moments of intense crisis. At its strongest, “The Ministry for the Future” delivers powerful and empathetic depictions of potential future scenarios. The opening scenes depicting a devastating heat wave in India are particularly striking and unforgettable.

Bureaucracy and the Challenge of Change

However, a significant portion of the book focuses on the challenges of transforming the Paris climate agreement into a tangible reality. Robinson attempts to create a compelling narrative around the activities of an enforcement agency, but the result is uneven. There are parallels to Malka Older’s Centenal Cycle, which similarly explored a future supranational government body and its bureaucratic processes.

Older’s series featured a clear antagonist, whereas Robinson deliberately avoids one. The primary obstacle is collective inertia – capitalism, the existing system, and widespread apathy. A reader’s engagement with a political bureaucrat’s struggle against inertia is likely influenced by their own background, such as experience in public policy.

The Missing Element: Human Reaction

Despite nearly 600 pages dedicated to climate change mechanics and economics, the novel frequently lacks exploration of human behavior, particularly the desire for retribution among those who suffer. While an ecoterrorist group successfully disrupts global trade and financial systems, the reactions of those affected remain largely unexplored. The author’s interest in revenge is evident, as the Children of Kali originated in the wake of the Indian heat wave.

Robinson aims to demonstrate what is possible, to present an alternative path forward. However, possibility alone is insufficient. The true challenge lies in navigating the complex human forces that often impede progress. In this sense, the novel leans more toward fantasy – a form of escapism for those who wish for effective action from international bodies.

The Paradox of Hong Kong

This lack of insight into human behavior becomes particularly apparent in specific instances. Published in 2020, the novel predicts China’s growing influence in the climate debate, and envisions Hong Kong as a bastion of freedom and democracy.

The novel describes Hong Kong’s struggle for freedom, emphasizing the power of numbers and non-violent resistance. However, this vision sharply contrasts with the reality of Hong Kong’s recent history. Despite massive protests, the region has been increasingly absorbed by the mainland government, with restrictions on press freedom, websites, and cultural institutions.

A Necessary Evil?

This discrepancy underscores the central paradox of the book. Despite advocating for positive change, the narrative relies on a radical group willing to employ violence to achieve its goals. Robinson seeks a utopian outcome but struggles to find a path forward within the confines of the narrative. The notion that “political power grows out of the barrel of a gun” has been tragically reaffirmed in Hong Kong, and is gaining traction within environmental discourse. “The Ministry for the Future” risks repeating the tactics of past regimes, a consequence none of us should desire.

The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
Hachette, 2020, 576 pages