““We will not die quietly” We will not die quietly” Resisting climate change after Copenhagen
CopenhagenCopenhagenOutcomes reflect balance of class
forces globally and within the industrialised economies.
Relatively weak environmental movements unable to exert significant pressure on governments.
Not a priority issue for most working class organisations
Right counter attacksRight counter attacksQuestioning of science.Legitimisation of marginal
climate change deniers in mainstream.
Some negative polling evidenceTories and Republicans
The planThe planAim was a binding agreement on
limiting CO2 emissions to prevent global temperatures from rising above 2c.
Before conference a leaked document suggested the developed nations wanted an agreement consolidating their power at expense of UN in future negotiations.
FailureFailure“Obama illusion” was definitively
destroyed. Along with Ed Miliband blamed
China for the failure Developed countries got business
as usual.Developing countries want money
and get it through offsets [sold through the carbon markets].”
ImpactImpactPoorest countries demanded cuts
aimed at maintaining a rise below 1.5c.
Above this would makes billions homeless and suffering from food and water shortages
UN is admitting in private that the pledges made by world leaders would lead to a 3c rise in temperature
ContradictionsContradictionsCapitalism’s irresistible drive to grow
comes with drive to create waste and pollution.
If nothing stops it, capitalism will expand both those processes infinitely.
The Earth is not infinite. Capitalism is now pressing against its
limits
Market solutionsMarket solutionsCarbon-trading schemes claim to
reduce environmental degradation by putting price on pollution.
In practice, such schemes have led to financial scandals, windfall profits for polluters and almost no environmental gains.
Market rationalityMarket rationalityIce meltsShell, BP and Exxon Mobil to
exploit the newly accessible fossil fuel reserves.
US Geological Survey estimates could hold 30% of the world's untapped natural gas and 13% of the world’s oil.
Ecology and moneyEcology and moneyCapitalism has treated the air,
rivers and oceans as a global sewer.
Long-term damage to natural ecosystems are never reflected in any corporate bottom-line.
As capitalism globalised so did the environmental havoc it creates.
LeadershipLeadershipVenezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador
and Nicaragua, acted as a bloc. Hugo Chavez and President Evo
Morales repeatedly insisted that capitalism was incompatible with serious action to tackle climate change.
CochabambaCochabamba“I could see and feel the historic
power of another world that for the youth is not only possible but absolutely necessary.
Prompt and imaginative alternative to Copenhagen.
MovementsMovementsMass movement began in
December with London and Copenhagen demonstrations.
Demands have to connect with response to recession.
One million climate jobs campaign.
Fourth InternationalFourth InternationalWorld Congress voted to describe
it as “ecosocialist”.Strongly supported by sections in
Global South.Domestically ecosocialism
remains strategic orientation.
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