The dawn of the Anthropocene: the colonial underpinnings of the green transition and post-growth alternatives

Abstract The Anthropocene marks a shift in recognising that contemporary socio-ecological crises are fundamentally anthropogenic. While the green transition is often presented as a pathway towards sustainability, this article traces its colonial underpinnings within neoliberal, growth-oriented frameworks. These dynamics unfold materially through the extraction of critical minerals and the export of waste, and discursively through narratives of ethical disposal that shift responsibility onto and reproduce guilt and shame among communities in the Global South. Furthermore, this article advances an alternative approach grounded in post-growth strategies, emphasising the need for overarching narratives that connect fragmented grassroots practices with broader governance structures. It highlights the complementary potential of such approaches for rethinking politics, responsibility, and transformation in the Anthropocene.