Seeing Environmental Conditions, I Think Capitalism Is Not the Perfect System to Follow

Seeing Environmental Conditions, I Think Capitalism Is Not the Perfect System to Follow

As I look around at the state of the world—the polluted rivers, the plastic-filled oceans, the rising temperatures, and the shrinking forests—one thought keeps coming to mind: Capitalism might not be the perfect system to follow.

This isn't a statement made lightly. Capitalism has undeniably brought technological progress, improved living standards for many, and created global networks of trade and innovation. But when it comes to the environment, the cracks in the system are too wide to ignore.

A System That Prioritizes Profit Over Planet

Capitalism is based on growth. The more a business produces and sells, the more profit it earns. But endless growth on a planet with finite resources is fundamentally unsustainable. Forests are cleared to make way for agriculture or industry. Fossil fuels are burned to power factories and vehicles. Oceans are overfished, and toxic waste is dumped into the environment. Why? Because it's cheaper, faster, and more profitable.

Environmental costs—polluted air, rising sea levels, biodiversity loss—are often ignored in the economic equations of companies and governments alike. These “externalities” don’t show up in profit and loss statements, but their impacts are devastating.

The Wasteful Nature of Modern Consumerism

Capitalism thrives on consumption. We're constantly encouraged to buy more—new phones, new clothes, new gadgets—whether we need them or not. Products are designed to break down or go out of fashion quickly, fueling a cycle of waste.

Where does all this waste go? Landfills, oceans, and incinerators. The Earth is paying the price for our obsession with “more.”

Environmental Injustice and Inequality

The harms of pollution are not evenly distributed. Wealthier countries and corporations extract resources from poorer regions, export waste, and often avoid the worst environmental consequences. Meanwhile, low-income communities—especially in the Global South—suffer from dirty water, unbreathable air, and loss of livelihoods due to environmental degradation.

Capitalism, in its current globalized form, allows those with the most power to profit while leaving the most vulnerable to bear the burden.

Greenwashing and False Solutions

Many argue that capitalism can fix itself through innovation and “green” business practices. While renewable energy and sustainable products are steps in the right direction, they often serve as band-aids rather than deep structural changes. In many cases, companies use greenwashing—marketing themselves as eco-friendly without making real changes—to maintain their image while continuing harmful practices.

Is There an Alternative?

This doesn’t mean we must completely abandon capitalism overnight. But it does mean we should question its dominance and look at alternatives that put the environment and people over profits. Ideas like degrowth, circular economies, cooperative ownership, and eco-socialism offer models where sustainability is central, not an afterthought.

We need systems that value long-term well-being over short-term gain—systems that respect ecological limits and promote equity and justice.

Conclusion

When I see the environmental destruction around us, it's hard to believe that capitalism, as it stands today, is the best path forward. Its focus on profit, consumption, and endless growth has brought us to the edge of climate crisis and ecological collapse. If we truly care about the future of our planet, we must rethink the systems we follow—and start building ones that nurture, rather than exploit, the Earth.