Amitav Ghosh's 2021 non-fiction work, The Nutmeg's Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis, re-examines the climate crisis through a historical and decolonial lens. Ghosh argues that the roots of environmental degradation lie in the violent exploitation of both human life and nature during Western colonialism, using the 17th-century Dutch conquest of the Banda Islands for nutmeg as a central parable. The book blends historical research with reflections on global oil trade, migration, and indigenous animistic spirituality, offering a sharp critique of Western society's impact on the planet.

Why You Should Read?

• Offers a unique historical perspective on the origins of the climate crisis.
• Examines the enduring legacy of colonialism on environmental degradation.
• Uses the powerful story of the Banda Islands to illustrate global exploitative dynamics.
• Integrates diverse narratives from history, spirituality, and contemporary global issues.