Produce Less – Exploring Degrowth

“Earthy governance” offers a different understanding of democracy, one in which human communities recognize their place within the wider web of life. Drawing on Indigenous and local communities across the world, Shrishtee Bajpai and Ashish Kothari examine forms of self-governance rooted in ecological relationships, collective decision-making, commons and custodianship. These systems seek to distribute power, strengthen the voice of marginalized groups and recognize rivers, mountains, forests and other more-than-human communities as integral to governance. From Lachung in Sikkim to the Tharaka community in Kenya and the Dongria Kondh of Odisha, the article explores practices that challenge human-centered and centralized models ofdemocracy.

Paul Le Blanc reviews a new book that reveals little known dimensions of Rosa Luxemburg the outstanding thinker and revolutionary, but also the generously gifted human being.

The article by E.A.S. Sarma examines the Union environment ministry’s exemption of standalone green hydrogen and green ammonia plants from prior environmental clearance. Using the proposed 1-million-tonne green ammonia facility at Kakinada as a case study, Sarma highlights concerns over water consumption, desalination waste, pipelines, ecological impacts and the project’s proximity to the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. He also questions the exclusion of public consultation and the wider implications of treating such projects as environmentally benign merely because they use renewable energy. The letter argues that environmental appraisal must precede industrial operations and calls on the ministry to revisit the exemption in light of Article 48A.

As detentions of Cubans in the United States increase, the voices most critical of Havana remain silent; no politician—and almost none of the so-called influencers—is speaking out to denounce the abuse. Most Cubans detained and deported to third countries did not cross the border illegally; their entry was, at the time, legal and authorized by U.S. authorities.

Raoul Peck’s ‘Lumumba’ offers a restrained and politically significant remembrance of Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vidyarthy Chatterjee examines Lumumba’s assassination in the context of the struggle over Congo’s mineral wealth, sovereignty and political future. The article discusses the role of Western powers, Belgian colonial interests and Congolese political elites in the events that led to Lumumba’s death. It also considers how Peck’s film revisited this history during the Black Lives Matter movement, bringing renewed attention to colonial violence and the continuing economic and political pressures faced by former African colonies.

India’s constitutional democracy recognizes Adivasi or tribal communities as distinct social formations having special rights over land and forests. Ironically, some of the country’s richest tribal landscapes continue to be viewed as repositories of mineral wealth. Whenever coal, bauxite, iron ore, or other natural resources are discovered beneath forests inhabited by Scheduled Tribes, the language of development takes precedence over the language of constitutional justice.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s target of 10 million medical tourists a year won’t create new capacity in Indian healthcare, it will pull capacity out of a public system that’s already short on it

As wars, extreme weather, fuel shortages and rising electricity demand strain aging power systems, decentralized energy is gaining importance. Solar panels, batteries, smaller generators and microgrids can reduce dependence on vulnerable centralized grids and help maintain essential services during disruptions. In Ukraine, distributed systems are supporting hospitals and water infrastructure amid attacks. Puerto Rico is integrating household batteries into its grid, while Cuba is expanding solar generation as fuel shortages deepen. These experiences show both the potential and limitations of decentralized energy. Scaling remains difficult, but localized generation and storage are emerging as practical tools for improving resilience in increasingly insecure energy systems.

In the mountains of Eswatini, Warren has built a garden around indigenous plants, permaculture and local ecological knowledge. But the landscape he has carefully cultivated is facing a changing climate. He has witnessed heavier and less predictable rains, flooding, soil erosion, crop failures and the spread of invasive species. His response combines practical adaptation with conservation: cultivating native plants, restoring degraded land, reducing invasive wattle, reusing waste and producing organic compost. Working with like-minded neighbours, Warren hopes to develop a nature reserve around Sibebe Rock. His experience offers a grounded account of grassroots climate adaptation and the challenges of building resilience in a vulnerable rural community.