Indian writer Amitav Ghosh stands as a resolute voice in global literature on climate change. His latest work, The Curse of Nutmeg, unfolds a tale that uses the nutmeg trade as a mirror for a history of exploitation. The book argues that today’s climate crisis has deep roots in how people have treated Earth as a limitless store of goods, a viewpoint that shaped centuries of resource extraction and inequality.
-Discussions about climate change have often treated it as a recent problem, but the author points to centuries of origins tied to European colonialism that still shape the present crisis.
-The argument is that climate change will not be understood by looking only at the present. Its genealogy reveals specific connections to past actions, and acknowledging these consequences is essential for addressing today’s challenges.
-The climate crisis is linked to the history of resource flows, with nutmeg serving as a metaphor for a broader pattern. Why does the book begin with this spice?
–The author uses the nutmeg story to illuminate the history behind sources and the powerful consequences that follow. The tale centers on Banda, where a tree held immense economic and cultural importance. Yet that same tree became a curse, contributing to the decimation of indigenous populations. This pattern recurs globally, as various resources—cotton, sugar, and more—were instrumental in the slave trades across Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean. The same logic underpins how resource extraction today drives climate change on a world scale.
-Is the root of the climate crisis found in the struggle for resources?
-The focus is on how resources are used in practice. Fossil fuels are not only extracted; their consumption and the waste they generate—emissions that pollute the atmosphere—create lasting damage to the planet.
-If origins extend far back, is planetary salvation a possibility?
-The author does not claim prophecy about the future. Yet he notes that progress is often overridden by other events, such as wars that continue to pollute through military activity. The discussion emphasizes that conflict, fuel burning, and high emissions are deeply intertwined, and the outlook for the future is not encouraging at present.
-If there were a path to salvation, where might it lie in the author’s view of a new worldview?
-A real change would require reducing reliance on fossil fuels. It is not impossible, but it demands collective effort and public resolve. There have been instances of societies attempting to pivot away from overconsumption, suggesting a possible return to more sustainable patterns.
-Rich nations often point to developing countries as major polluters, with China and India highlighted in discussions.
-The dialogue on emissions shows that today’s levels are shaped by historical outputs. While China and India contribute more today, their historical emissions were far smaller. Per capita comparisons confirm that individuals in Europe or the United States historically consumed far more energy, highlighting a stark imbalance in energy use over time. It is unfair to single out developing nations as the sole culprits when consumption patterns in wealthier regions have set a higher consumption pace.
-Does climate policy under a global crisis hinder growth in developing nations?
-Growth in the Global South is undeniable and ongoing. The decolonization era opened pathways for industrialization, and today these countries pursue development while seeking to lower carbon footprints through smarter consumption and cleaner technologies. Yet there is reluctance among Western leaders to push citizens toward a drastic reduction in living standards. The reality is that without broader political courage, transformative change remains elusive.
-Are people not taking the climate emergency seriously enough?
-Visible climate effects are felt in many places—Italy, for example, experiences frequent climate-related events, while drought and desertification threaten agriculture in other regions. Yet broad civic and political action to confront these trends remains insufficient in many areas.
-And as climate denial grows…
-Denial persists where powerful interests shape public discourse. It is most evident where energy companies fund narratives that downplay risks, echoing a pattern once seen in other harmful industries. The denial is strongest in wealthier nations, and it often aligns with political agendas that resist meaningful reform.
-Do COP meetings make a difference if progress is not followed by action?
-There are goals at these gatherings, yet the crucial step is implementing them. Activists around the world see COPs as moments to unite, but their voices are not always included in the core negotiations. Real change hinges on translating talk into concrete policies and everyday practices.
—This account highlights a pressing perspective on climate change: history matters, equity must guide policy, and action is required to turn potential progress into tangible outcomes. The conversation invites readers to rethink consumption, acknowledge the historical roots of environmental harm, and demand leadership that couples ambition with accountability. (Source attribution: interview with Amitav Ghosh exploring climate, history, and global equity)