In ‘The Rise Of The Neolocals: A Generational Reversal Of Globalisation’, Narain offers a concise and accessible guide to the complexities of climate change, exploring themes of globalisation, inequality and sustainability, and proposing practical solutions for a more equitable future
Over the last 15 years or so, every time I see something new written by Sunita Narain, I make it a point to read it immediately. The simple reason for this is her clarity, passion, erudition, and succinctness in addressing the most critical issue confronting our very existence: climate change. Her writings deserve every serious reader’s attention and applause.
Her latest work, ‘The Rise of the Neolocals: A Generational Reversal of Globalisation’, is no exception. At just 121 pages, it is a compact, highly readable book that underscores the importance of simplifying the discourse on climate change and presenting it in an accessible manner. Narain has consistently excelled in making complex issues understandable to a wider audience, bringing them to the forefront of government policies and public advocacy.
In 11 subsections, Narain explores an array of interconnected themes. She begins by discussing the entry of multinational companies (MNCs) into India and the subsequent resistance rooted in a desire to maintain localism and self-reliance. Her analysis helps readers grasp India’s journey from this resistance to full-fledged globalisation. She then delves into the degradation of essential resources like air, water, land, soil, rivers, and the food chain, laying bare the stark realities of growing inequalities and the dichotomy between “survival emissions” and “luxury emissions.”
Narain also examines the phenomenon of generational reversal and de-globalisation, citing examples like the re-election of Trump, Brexit, political polarisation in Europe, and the rise of revanchism worldwide. She aptly terms this as the “revenge of the rich.” By weaving together examples from China to America, she reveals a world caught in contradictions and alternative realities, where real issues are pushed into the background.
One of the book’s standout chapters focuses on recycling and the circular economy. Narain sharply critiques the hypocritical stance of wealthy nations that export their waste to poorer countries, emphasizing the need for legally binding commitments to address the “Not-In-My-Backyard” (NIMBY) mindset. Her argument—that we must own and act on our waste—is both timely and powerful.
Narain also addresses the dangers of unchecked formalisation, highlighting how the push for formal economic pathways often disregards the informal economies that sustain millions. She calls for greater equity in globalisation, noting that existing frameworks often favour the West and wealthy business oligarchs while exacerbating ecological and economic inequalities.
The concluding sections of the book are especially thought-provoking. Narain discusses the shrinking carbon space, the false dichotomy between development and the environment, and the immense challenges of transitioning to a sustainable future. She also touches on the tragedy of nutritional insecurity, the growing frequency of disasters, and the plight of migrants—issues that expose the West’s indifference toward the vulnerable.
The Rise of the Neolocals is an insightful and compelling read. It provides a foundational understanding of the issues threatening our existence while offering practical solutions that, if implemented, could help sustain the planet.
The writer is a teacher
By Uzair Qadri