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Capitalism's climate change policy failure
The following extract is from an article in the Socialist (issue 799) by Pete Dickenson published following the winter floods of 2014.
What is a long-term answer to the problem of flooding? First and foremost, this means tackling the root causes of climate change by switching to renewable energy, which could reduce the intensity of weather events, such as storms and floods.
Decisive action in this area, although crucial, will take decades to have an effect, so action is needed now to increase the capacity of the countryside to absorb rainfall, which has been significantly reduced by over-intensive agriculture, as well as strengthening flood defences.
Clearing uplands for sheep grazing has reduced the capacity of the land to absorb rainfall. Research has shown that full reforestation could reduce flooding peaks by 50%.
A policy to increase the capacity of the earth to hold water has been rejected by Cameron, in favour of dredging, but reforestation in the tropics to deal with flooding is a policy supported by his own government through the Department for International Development.
Planning for the planet
How socialism could save the environment - by Pete Dickenson
£9.95
Available from Left Books
Socialism Today
The Socialist Party's magazine
December/January issue
Special edition: Socialism or ecological catastrophe
Including: 25 years of climate talks hot air, the anthropocene age, why capitalism can't go green, Marxism and the environment, and Green parties are not enough
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
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