All Organisations subcategories:
Committee for a Workers International
Nationalist and National Liberation
Pro capitalist and Imperialist
Left and radical keywords:
International Socialist Resistance (54)
Revolutionary Communist League (1)
Socialist Peoples Party (Denmark) (1)
Green
Highlight keywords |
Print this article
Search site for keywords: Climate change - Green - Energy - Economic crisis - Socialist
Our planet not their profit
 |
Climate change demo December 2007, photo Paul Mattsson |
Everyone on the march against climate change on Saturday 6 December agrees on one thing: the planet is in danger.
Paula Mitchell
Climate scientists argue that critical processes, such as the melting of polar sea ice, are happening much faster than previously predicted. Inspired by the election of Barack Obama and his proposed plans for the environment, the march will demand a 'Green New Deal' - a state-funded package of environmental works designed to develop renewable energy technologies and create jobs.
It is right to march to put demands on the government. Mass pressure can force even the most reluctant governments to take steps. But there is also an opportunity and a necessity to debate how a Green New Deal can really be achieved, both to deal with the current economic crisis and to guarantee a habitable planet in the future. And to debate who can do it.
There will be speakers from New Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Every one of the mainstream political parties defends the current profit system, which puts the needs of big business before the needs of ordinary people and the planet.
Even George Monbiot, the chair of the Campaign against Climate Change, rejects socialism and believes it is possible to bring about green capitalism (see his book Age of Consent). He currently argues that environmentalists should not espouse or reject any one form of energy technology (even nuclear), but should demand a maximum level for the carbon dioxide produced, impose a number of other public safety measures, then allow the energy companies to find the cheapest means of delivering it (Guardian August 2008). Those very same energy companies who make enormous profits while our bills go up and up!
The pursuit of profit by big business, bankers and hedge fund managers has brought the world economy into an historic economic crisis. If it was possible to turn this capitalist system into one that cares for the environment, why has it so completely failed to implement even the limited aims of the Kyoto Treaty in reducing greenhouse gases?
How can we now imagine that the capitalists will suddenly put the interests of the environment before their own short-term gains? Already politicians are questioning whether it is possible to stick to existing green policies during a recession.
Some on the march will hope that this major economic crisis will alleviate the problems of global warming by reducing industrial output. While this may have some effect, no one should view an economic crisis on this scale as a good thing.
Millions of working and poor people across the world are already paying for this crisis, losing their jobs and homes and facing food shortages. The very people who pay the highest price for climate change will pay the highest price in the economic crisis too.
Socialist alternative needed
We cannot put our faith in the mainstream politicians. The battle to save the planet has some similarities with the massive international campaign to Make Poverty History three years ago. Despite the promises of capitalist governments at the time, world poverty is more deeply entrenched than ever while the super-rich have got richer.
We can only have faith in ourselves - in the mass of working class, young and poor people across the world. Democratic ownership and control of the world's resources would enable us to plan the use of those resources for the benefit of all.
The end of the profit system and replacing it with a socialist plan would not only mean ending constant boom and bust, but it would also enable a genuine Green New Deal. Measures such as a massive investment in renewable energy and a democratically planned public transport system could create millions of 'green jobs' and open up a sustainable economic future too.
Campaign against climate change march
Saturday 6 December,
Assemble 12 noon,
Grosvenor Square, London.
Contact Neil on 077 689 509 57 for details of how to meet up with Socialist Party members on the march and about Socialist Party meetings on this issue in London.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
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.
LATEST POSTS
12 May Stop Israeli state brutality
 |
9 May Post-election meetings
15 May Birmingham Socialist Party: How can we fight for socialist change and a new workers' party?
17 May Oxfordshire & Aylesbury Socialist Party: The role of the state
18 May Bristol North Socialist Party: Liverpool - history of socialist struggle
CONTACT US
Phone our national office on 020 8988 8777
Email: [email protected]
Locate your nearest Socialist Party branch Text your name and postcode to 07761 818 206
Regional Socialist Party organisers:
Eastern: 079 8202 1969
East Mids: 077 3797 8057
London: 075 4018 9052
North East: 078 4114 4890
North West 079 5437 6096
South West: 077 5979 6478
Southern: 078 3368 1910
Wales: 079 3539 1947
West Mids: 024 7655 5620
Yorkshire: 078 0983 9793
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999