What Is Disaster Capitalism? How the Rich Exploit Crises

As recovery efforts are underway on the island of Maui, there's been more discussions around the threat of predatory real estate practices - unfortunately, this isn't the only way the rich and powerful can profit off a disaster. We're overviewing today the topic of disaster capitalism, a term coined by Naomi Klein referring to the very real exploitation around crises. We're also zooming in a bit to better understand disaster capitalism in practice through the case study of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We acknowledge that most recovery efforts, whatever the crisis, are in good faith - it's a few powerful actors that are taking advantage of a community in chaotic times. However, knowing that natural disasters are becoming more intense under climate change, we're familiarizing ourselves with how these potentially predatory practices that can pop up in any disaster.

Resources mentioned:

Help Maui Families (community fund and toolkit)

ECO CHIC Episode 160: Disasters Aren't Natural: Managing Catastrophes + The Climate Crisis | Dr. Samanta Montano

How White People Pushed Out Hawai'i's Monarchy (Teen Vogue)

Naomi Klein: how power profits from disaster (The Guardian)

Brad Pitt foundation agrees on $20.5m settlement to owners of faulty post-Katrina houses (The Guardian)

Brad Pitt and the Bizarre Charity Mess That’s Left Katrina Victims Stranded Again (The Hollywood Reporter)

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