The Daily Planet #55: Metabolic Sovereignty, Part 4. Mann and Wainwright on the Climate Leviathan.

As far as I can tell, there isn't a theory of Metabolic Sovereignty floating around, but Mann and Wainwright's account of the Climate Leviathan is a precursor, i.e., it describes a sovereign with coercive capacity who forces other political actors into acting on climate. They were worried that the US would turn into such a Leviathan.

We know how that turned out. The US is clearly a Climate Behemoth in their classification. M and W have a book by that name as well, but today's article is more than most people need on the topic.

The article explores the profound challenge climate change poses to the capitalist nation-state, arguing that current state responses, especially from major powers like the United States, are inadequate to address the accelerating environmental crisis. It outlines four possible political futures shaped by how societies might reorganize in response: Climate Leviathan, Climate Mao, Climate Behemoth, and Climate X.

Climate Leviathan envisions a global order that consolidates capitalism through planetary sovereignty, managing climate adaptation while preserving existing power structures. Climate Behemoth represents a reactionary, nationalist, and capitalist backlash, characterized by climate denialism and chauvinism, notably embodied by figures like Trump and Bolsonaro, though its long-term viability is doubtful.

Climate Mao offers a non-capitalist alternative emerging from the radical political traditions of South and East Asia, where vulnerable populations might seek planetary-scale solutions beyond nation-states. Finally, Climate X rejects both capitalism and sovereignty, emphasizing decentralized, post-sovereign movements rooted in solidarity and justice, drawing inspiration from Indigenous and grassroots struggles.

The article stresses that meaningful climate action requires a fundamental reorganization of political and economic systems, beyond mere reforms like the Green New Deal, which, while valuable, remain limited by their reliance on state power and capitalist frameworks. Ultimately, the future depends on how power is contested and reimagined amid the unfolding climate crisis.

PS: I don't think political reorganization - along climate lines or otherwise - can happen without metabolic reorganization.

Political Scenarios for Climate Disaster - Dissent Magazine

In the Global North we often act as if our future will be a warmer version of today: liberal capitalism, plus flood insurance, minus coral reefs. That future is a fantasy.