George Monbiot

environment

Agricultural Hegemony
Why do farmers’ groups indulge in such ridiculous scaremongering about the restoration of the natural world? Read more – ‘Agricultural Hegemony’.
Rewilding Made Simple
A brilliant and beautiful animation. Read more – ‘Rewilding Made Simple’.
Raucous Summer
Our Newsnight film about rewilding. Read more – ‘Raucous Summer’.
Surprised by Joy
Robert MacFarlane interviews George Monbiot about rewilding. Read more – ‘Surprised by Joy’.
A Manifesto for Rewilding the World
A mass restoration of ecosystems offers us hope where there was little hope before. Read more – ‘A Manifesto for Rewilding the World’.
What’s Missing from this Picture?
Somehow almost all of us have missed the real story behind the disappearance of our wildlife. Read more – ‘What’s Missing from this Picture?’.
The Providential Principle
Amazingly, the UK government has not defined the precautionary principle and appears to have no idea what it is. Read more – ‘The Providential Principle’.
The Counter-Enlightenment
How government science advisers misrepresent science. Read more – ‘The Counter-Enlightenment’.
Where Hope Flows
If the “hardest-worked river in the world” can recover to this extent, almost anything is possible. Read more – ‘Where Hope Flows’.
The Self-Hating State
Devolving policy to “the market” doesn’t solve the problem of power. It makes it worse. Read more – ‘The Self-Hating State’.
Ship-Wrecked
How the government betrayed its promises to protect our seas. Read more – ‘Ship-Wrecked’.
Betting on Extinction
Ladbroke’s is offering odds on fish populations collapsing; the government is shortening them. Read more – ‘Betting on Extinction’.
Life is Elsewhere
In both Russia and Canada a bloodbath of wolves is now taking place. Read more – ‘Life is Elsewhere’.
Annus Horribilis
2012 was the worst year for the environment in living memory. Read more – ‘Annus Horribilis’.
The Gift of Death
Pathological consumption has become so normalised that we scarcely notice it. Read more – ‘The Gift of Death’.
The Unsung World
Biodiversity offsets threaten both the survival and the meaning of nature. Read more – ‘The Unsung World’.
Wolfbane
So much for Norway’s eco-friendly image. Read more – ‘Wolfbane’.
Housebroken
There’s a second environmental crisis, just as potent as the first. Read more – ‘Housebroken’.
Recipes for Disaster
Isn’t it about time the media stopped publishing recipes for threatened fish? Read more – ‘Recipes for Disaster’.
What Were You Thinking?
An open letter to the former ministers who appear to have let a devastating tree disease into the UK. Read more – ‘What Were You Thinking?’.
Cameron’s Contagion
That’s what we should call the devastating ash disease now spreading across Britain. Read more – ‘Cameron’s Contagion’.
Ash Cloud
How conservatism turned into an orgy of destruction. Read more – ‘Ash Cloud’.
Heart Rot
If we lose the ash tree, we’ll lose culture as well as nature. Read more – ‘Heart Rot’.
Declaring War on the Environment
With the appointment of an anti-green as Environment Secretary, the pretence is over. Read more – ‘Declaring War on the Environment’.
Hidden Claws
Could the rubbish published in the Observer about birds of prey be related to the author’s undisclosed interests? Read more – ‘Hidden Claws’.
The Great Impostors
In the name of saving the natural world, governments are privatising it. Read more – ‘The Great Impostors’.
Lead Soldiers
A new front opens up in the war against nature. Read more – ‘Lead Soldiers’.
For Those Who Love Life
The people cutting open bluefin tuna nets are heroes Read more – ‘For Those Who Love Life’.
End of an Era
So now what do we do to defend life on Earth? Read more – ‘End of an Era’.
How “Sustainability” Became “Sustained Growth”
The Rio Declaration rips up the basic principles of environmental action. Read more – ‘How “Sustainability” Became “Sustained Growth”’.
The Mendacity of Hope
The summits which promise to save the world keep us dangling, not mobilising. Read more – ‘The Mendacity of Hope’.
Paper Parks
The UK’s marine reserves offer no meaningful protection to the life of the sea. Read more – ‘Paper Parks’.
The Keys to the Blood Bank
The Conservative minister charged with protecting wildlife is making a packet as a result of weak wildlife protection laws. Read more – ‘The Keys to the Blood Bank’.
The Big Green Question
Is environmentalism compatible with social justice? Read more – ‘The Big Green Question’.
Why Libertarians Must Deny Climate Change
As soon as it encounters environmental issues, the ideology of the new right becomes ensnared in its own contradictions. Read more – ‘Why Libertarians Must Deny Climate Change’.
Slash and Burn Capitalism
Now the government intends to strip away protection from our most treasured places Read more – ‘Slash and Burn Capitalism’.
How the Greens Were Misled
One man, now embroiled in a shocking scandal, may have done the movement incalculable damage. Read more – ‘How the Greens Were Misled’.
Peak Stuff?
Could it be true that resource use is reduced by economic growth? Read more – ‘Peak Stuff?’.
It’s the Rich Wot Gets the Pleasure
Population is much less of a problem than consumption. No wonder the rich are obsessed by it. Read more – ‘It’s the Rich Wot Gets the Pleasure’.
Arrested Development
The wild boar cull should be halted, and we should stop confusing conservation with gardening. Read more – ‘Arrested Development’.
Mutually Assured Depletion
The EU, Norway, Iceland and the Faroes all blame each other for smashing the last great fish stock. All are wrong. Read more – ‘Mutually Assured Depletion’.
Jellyfish Rule
Have I just witnessed the beginning of the end of vertebrate ecology? Read more – ‘Jellyfish Rule’.
An Answer to the Meaning of Life
The well-intentioned dolts putting a price on nature are delivering it into the hands of business. Read more – ‘An Answer to the Meaning of Life’.
Shaking the Tree
The British government’s demolition programme is now moving on to the environment. Read more – ‘Shaking the Tree’.
Our Crushing Dilemmas
How do environmentalists fight without losing what we’re fighting for? Read more – ‘Our Crushing Dilemmas’.
The Lost World
Where is the environmental vision that can resist the planet-wrecking project? Read more – ‘The Lost World’.
“Shoot the —- in the Face”
It’s time for those who hate the greens to stop issuing death threats – to me and others. Read more – ‘“Shoot the —- in the Face”’.
Power Trips
What could be sillier and more invidious than the Observer’s “eco-power list”? Read more – ‘Power Trips’.
The Great Ventriloquist
Why is a former Greenpeace activist siding with Indonesia’s logging industry? Read more – ‘The Great Ventriloquist’.
A Charming Falsehood
While pressing Stewart Brand to admit he was wrong, it seems that I might have stumbled across a new tactic in the corporate propaganda war. Read more – ‘A Charming Falsehood’.
Is Stewart Brand the New Ian Plimer?
Despite challenging the environmental movement to admit when it gets things wrong, he seems unable to do so himself. Read more – ‘Is Stewart Brand the New Ian Plimer?’.
Correspondence with Stewart Brand
Here are the emails Stewart Brand and I have sent to each other Read more – ‘Correspondence with Stewart Brand’.
Deep Peace in Techno-Utopia
A new film on Channel 4 disses the greens while dodging the issue of power. Read more – ‘Deep Peace in Techno-Utopia’.
A Ghost Agreement
Everyone agrees that the new declaration on biodiversity is a triumph. Just one snag: it doesn’t appear to exist. Read more – ‘A Ghost Agreement’.
A Planet in Square Brackets
The draft global plan for saving biodiversity contains no firm proposals at all. Read more – ‘A Planet in Square Brackets’.
The Aliens Are Coming
We appear to be incapable of dealing with invasive species while there’s still time. Read more – ‘The Aliens Are Coming’.
Saving Species
Here are the biodiversity challenges we’ll be pressing governments to meet Read more – ‘Saving Species’.
Now for the Good News
Here are some green pioneers whose work is worth celebrating. Read more – ‘Now for the Good News’.
Words Fail Us
Talking has so far done nothing to protect the world’s biodiversity. So we’re launching a new campaign to get governments to act. Read more – ‘Words Fail Us’.
Naming the Nameless
The results of our competition to name England’s threatened species are stunning. Read more – ‘Naming the Nameless’.
BP’s Dumb Investors
The companies now threatening to sue BP have only themselves to blame. Read more – ‘BP’s Dumb Investors’.
Ridleyed With Errors
Matt Ridley only digs his hole deeper as he attempts to justify his distortions. Read more – ‘Ridleyed With Errors’.
Money’s Hunger
Industrial civilisation is trashing the environment. Should we try to reform it or just watch it go down? Read more – ‘Money’s Hunger’.
The Naming of Things
Here’s one small way in which the collapse of biodiversity could be slowed Read more – ‘The Naming of Things’.
The Population Myth
People who claim that population growth is the big environmental issue are shifting the blame from the rich to the poor Read more – ‘The Population Myth’.
Toxic Assets
The Trafigura scandal is just one of thousands of cases of the rich world’s fly-tipping Read more – ‘Toxic Assets’.
Fishing for Life
I set out to catch all my own fish, and live the wild life again Read more – ‘Fishing for Life’.
Should We Seek to Save Industrial Civilisation?
A debate with Paul Kingsnorth Read more – ‘Should We Seek to Save Industrial Civilisation?’.
Blue Desert
Why is no one brave enough to stand up to the fishing industry? Read more – ‘Blue Desert’.
Plastic Fetish
Why are plastic bags treated as the root of environmental evil? Read more – ‘Plastic Fetish’.
Pyrolising the Planet
The debate over biochar hots up. Read more – ‘Pyrolising the Planet’.
Woodchips With Everything
Here comes the latest utopian catastrophe: the plan to solve climate change with biochar Read more – ‘Woodchips With Everything’.
Shaun Spiers Challenged
This is the third of my investigative interviews with policy makers. Read more – ‘Shaun Spiers Challenged’.
This Is What Denial Does
The economic crisis is petty by comparison to the nature crunch. But they have the same cause. Read more – ‘This Is What Denial Does’.
Hypocrites Unite!
At least we have some ideals to fall short of. Read more – ‘Hypocrites Unite!’.
Swindled Again
A response to Channel 4′s head of documentaries, Hamish Mykura Read more – ‘Swindled Again’.
An Ongoing Swindle
The Great Global Warming Swindle is just one example of Channel 4′s war against the greens Read more – ‘An Ongoing Swindle’.
Kept Afloat on a Tide of Cash
Why are governments subsidising the destruction of the marine environment? Read more – ‘Kept Afloat on a Tide of Cash’.
Population Bombs
It’s an important issue, but nowhere near the top of the list. Read more – ‘Population Bombs’.
Bring on the Recession
How else will the destructive effects of growth be stopped? Read more – ‘Bring on the Recession’.
Eco-junk
Green consumerism will not save the biosphere Read more – ‘Eco-junk’.
Feeding Frenzy
Why is it still acceptable to eat the endangered large predators of the sea? Read more – ‘Feeding Frenzy’.
Not Enough Fish in the Sea
Not Enough Fish in the Sea We need omega-3 oils for our brains to function properly. But where will they come from? Read more – ‘Not Enough Fish in the Sea’.
Are You Paying to Burn the Rainforest?
If you’re buying Brazilian beef, the answer is yes Read more – ‘Are You Paying to Burn the Rainforest?’.
Bring Them Back
We should welcome the return of the big wild mammals Read more – ‘Bring Them Back’.
Just Fade Away
It’s time to lighten up about falling birthrates. Read more – ‘Just Fade Away’.
Jump on our Bandwagon
The corporations’ Achilles heel is the environment. It’s time for the left to hit it. Read more – ‘Jump on our Bandwagon’.
Natural Aesthetes
Wildlife is wonderful. We don’t need any other excuse to protect it. Read more – ‘Natural Aesthetes’.
Deliver Us from Finity
Capitalism is not even mathematically possible, let alone biologically viable Read more – ‘Deliver Us from Finity’.
Planet of the Fakes
Wildlife programmes on television, David Attenborough’s among them, perpetuate the dangerous myth of wilderness. Read more – ‘Planet of the Fakes’.
Trouble in the Pipeline
The corporations have asked us to trust them. But even the paragon of “corporate social responsibility” is saying one thing and doing quite another. Read more – ‘Trouble in the Pipeline’.
What Do We Really Want?
The richer we are, the more miserable we become. Read more – ‘What Do We Really Want?’.
Led by the Weak, We Must Shackle the Strong
Public enthusiasm for saving the environment is not influencing public policy Read more – ‘Led by the Weak, We Must Shackle the Strong’.
Earth-Eating Summit
The solution to the world’s problems, world leaders are about to agree, is more of the problem. Read more – ‘Earth-Eating Summit’.
Black Shirts in Green Trousers
The far right is moving in, and greens and globalisation campaigners must do more to shut it out. Read more – ‘Black Shirts in Green Trousers’.
Angel of Death
Britain’s development secretary is helping to destroy the lives of 20 million people. Read more – ‘Angel of Death’.
They’re All Dammed
The British government appears ready to fund another ethnic cleansing scheme in Turkey Read more – ‘They’re All Dammed’.
Greens Get Eaten
The environment movement is in serious trouble, as it is losing touch with its ideals. Read more – ‘Greens Get Eaten’.
Sleeping with the Enemy
Consumer and environment groups are getting into bed with big corporations Read more – ‘Sleeping with the Enemy’.
London Rising
One of the World’s Greyest Cities Could Be Transformed into one of the Greenest Read more – ‘London Rising’.
A Cancer in the System
Why are the government and the big charities ignoring the environmental causes of cancer? Read more – ‘A Cancer in the System’.
Dying of Consumption
The more we spend, the happier we become. Probably. Read more – ‘Dying of Consumption’.
Long on the Carrot, Short on the Stick
Blair’s green speech is all very well, but we can’t protect the environment without new laws Read more – ‘Long on the Carrot, Short on the Stick’.
Does Working with Business Compromise the Environmentalist?
Does Working with Business Compromise the Environmentalist? Read more – ‘Does Working with Business Compromise the Environmentalist?’.
God versus Greens
Environmentalists are foolishly following Prince Charles over the spiritual abyss. Read more – ‘God versus Greens’.
The Most Polluted Place in Europe
The public health emergency no one has noticed Read more – ‘The Most Polluted Place in Europe’.
The First Green Shoots
At last the British Government is starting to protect the environment Read more – ‘The First Green Shoots’.
Poisoning the Poor
The poor are dying younger because they are being systematically poisoned Read more – ‘Poisoning the Poor’.
Nato’s Dirty War
By targeting chemicals factories, Nato is waging war against civilians Read more – ‘Nato’s Dirty War’.
Christmas Comes Every Day
An absurd and dangerous project threatens Britain’s most important mountain habitat Read more – ‘Christmas Comes Every Day’.
Green Grave
The environment succumbs to Labour’s cynical realpolitik Read more – ‘Green Grave’.
Green Sell-Outs
Conservation is becoming one of the greatest threats to the global environment. Read more – ‘Green Sell-Outs’.
Resign, you Prince of Darkness
The Duke of Edinburgh, currently president of the WWF, is an environmental disaster area Read more – ‘Resign, you Prince of Darkness’.
The Jaws of Victory
Review of: The River Stops Here: How One Man’s Battle to Save His Valley Changed the Fate of California. Ted Simon, Random House, New York. Read more – ‘The Jaws of Victory’.
Murder in the Amazon
Nearly all the mahogany leaving Brazil has been taken, illegally, from protected reserves Read more – ‘Murder in the Amazon’.
Toxic Shock
The Government’s official position is that we should pour our hazardous waste down the drain. Read more – ‘Toxic Shock’.
A Private Order Called Public Order
Environmentalism is at the vanguard of Britain’s movements for political change Read more – ‘A Private Order Called Public Order’.
Keepers of the Artificial Wilderness
In East Africa, conservationists are creating a wilderness out of inhabited lands, then punishing the people they have dispossessed Read more – ‘Keepers of the Artificial Wilderness’.
Wishful Thinking
Environmentalism is yet to inspire a great novel Read more – ‘Wishful Thinking’.
Collateral Damage
Local people are the real victims of the turf war between the conservation authorities in Kenya Read more – ‘Collateral Damage’.
Hero or Villain?
Richard Leakey’s reappointment as head of the Kenya Wildlife Service is a disaster for Kenya’s nomads Read more – ‘Hero or Villain?’.
Conservation without Miracles
A peasant farmers’ project in the western Amazon might hold the key to protecting the forests Read more – ‘Conservation without Miracles’.
Death in Your Living Room
The only people who can prevent the invasion of Indian reserves in Brazil and British and American consumers Read more – ‘Death in Your Living Room’.
Trading in Human Lives
Trading in Human Lives Read more – ‘Trading in Human Lives’.
Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians
A disastrous military project in the northern Amazon will destroy some of the most pristine forests on earth. Read more – ‘Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians’.
Dirty Dealings
A disastrous conflict of interest ensures that the government won’t stop oil pollution Read more – ‘Dirty Dealings’.