This talk about the capitalist roots of the climate crisis was presented at Victoria University of Wellington on 3 March 2020. ISO member Emile Wilmar gives a historical account of how the environment has been exploited under different forms of class society and how capitalism, by its very nature, brings us to the brink of worldwide catastrophe. We post this on the day of the Online Strike 4 Climate to contribute to the debate about the ideas and analysis necessary to win the fight for a better future.