The ecosocialist alternative: An interview with Sabrina Fernandes

[ *Editor’s note* : Sabrina Fernandes will be speaking at Ecosocialism 2026, September 11-13, Magan-djin/Brisbane, Australia. For more information on the conference visit ecosocialism.org.au ( https://ecosocialism.org.au/ ).]

Sabrina Fernandes is a Brazilian political economist who has published books and articles on ecosocialism, internationalism, leftist organising, Global South politics and ecosocial transitions. Fernandes is also a member of the Global Ecosocialist Network ( https://www.globalecosocialistnetwork.net/ ).

Speaking with Federico Fuentes for LINKS International Journal of Socialist Renewal ( https://links.org.au/ ) , Fernandes puts the case for ecosocialism ( https://links.org.au/topic/ecosocialism ) , notes some of its important contributions to modern Marxist theory, and explains why we need an eco-territorial internationalism.

*Ecosocialism has been gaining traction within the radical left. How do you define it?*

Some people still view ecosocialism as just socialism with environmentalism added on, or that it means you are a socialist who is also interested in the environment, climate change, etc. But I understand ecosocialism as a strain within Marxism and socialism that does not treat nature as just another issue we occasionally talk about and sometimes forget. Nature is central for ecosocialists — it is something we read into class, gender, race and capitalist exploitation.

The prefix “eco” is not there by chance. “Eco” modifies how we think about a socialist society. It reflects our understanding that we cannot build socialism on a scorched Earth and that we must consider the planet we will inherit. Ecosocialists do not separate the struggle against capitalism from the struggle against capitalism’s destruction of nature.

We also understand that a post-capitalist society must do more than just overcome capitalism. It will have to overcome productivism, extractivism and other practices that disrespect nature and cause irreparable damage to Earth. We need to change the mode of production not just to end labour exploitation but also the exploitation of nature.

Read the rest of the interview at https://links.org.au/ecosocialist-alternative-interview-sabrina-fernandes


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