The Modern Slavery-Climate Change Nexus: Resurrecting Environmental Determinism, Reinforcing Saviourism and Absolving the West

Abstract

The modern slavery-climate change nexus is emerging as a trendy topic. It combines two powerful consensus narratives, modern slavery and climate change, and has been uncritically embraced by scholars, charities, campaigners and corporations. In this article, we argue that rather than representing an exciting advancement in society–environment scholarship, the modern slavery-climate change nexus resurrects the long-discredited theory of environmental determinism. It absolves the West of its historical responsibilities for labour exploitation and environmental destruction, from which it continues to benefit, while shifting the burden of action to the global majority. By doing that, it provides Western states, corporations and even academics with a convenient storyline which allows them to reinforce neoliberal agendas whilst positioning themselves as saviours, and corporations to continue exploitative practices whilst presenting as ethical.