Chris
Brooks
Two visions exist of a progressive and radical transformation of the world:
one ecologist and the other socialist. Socialist Resistance hopes to stimulate
a socialist ecology that can unite and enrich both "reds" and
"greens". The convergence of these movements could form a new
paradigm for civilization, ecosocialism.
‘Ecosocialism or barbarism’ will be the alternatives posed
by Socialist Resistance’s forum, to be held on Saturday December
2. Michael Lowy, the Brazilian Marxist who has recently edited a book
on socialism and ecology, will be one of the main speakers at the day-long
conference.
The forum will bring together those who share a radical criticism of capitalism
and the desire for a complete alternative based on ecological and socialist
practice. Hot on the heels of the global day of demonstrations against
climate change on Saturday 4 November, the event will focus on four themes:
1. Solving ecological problems
There are big differences between reformist and socialist responses to
ecological problems. Capitalism, driven by the need to make ever-increasing
profits cannot solve the problems thrown up by global warming, a crisis
it has created. Socialists, on the other hand, want an egalitarian society,
where production is for need and use, not profit. International agreements
to reduce carbon emissions are important, but how can countries that are
competing for markets and raw materials agree reduce emissions if this
means making less money?
Imperialist wars, like those in the Middle East, also ravage the environment.
More than 15,000 tonnes of fuel oil has leaked from a Lebanese power plant
since it was attacked by Israeli warplanes in July: a 3,000-square-kilometre
slick along two-thirds of its coastline. Iraq is still littered by depleted
uranium from US weapons that is mixing with the sand and being swept over
a wide area of the Middle East.
2. What politics are needed for what ecology? We support every effort
to ‘green’ the environment and make reforms so that government
and business act in a more sustainable way, even though we know that in
the end it cannot solve the problems. But fighting for reforms, campaigning
around such things as recycling, demanding that government supplies solar
panels, wind turbines for sustainable energy, campaigning against new
airports, builds the confidence of ordinary people that they can achieve
something, can force the government to act. We support mass campaigning
as the best way to build consciousness of the issues and how to solve
them. We also want to raise the issue in the trade unions and labour movement.
We need to debate with those working in the arms industry – now
the biggest industry in Britain – about alternative production,
for need not destruction. Their factories and plants could be transformed
into making useful things.
3. Popular ecology in Latin America The limited success of the green parties
in Europe is very different to the massive popularity of ecological struggles
in Latin America. Ecology isn’t a ‘Western luxury’,
as Chico Mendes and other Brazilian ecology campaigners discovered when
confronted with the murderous violence of the capitalist class. Across
Latin America, capitalism’s pillage of environmental resources has
provoked a massive response from workers and farmers. In Cuba, Venezuela,
Brazil, Bolivia and elsewhere, mass movements have attempted to turn around
the ecological devastation of capitalism. Today Cuba offers lessons of
the gains that can be made through popular ecology.
4. Growth, nature and abundance The forum aims to reexamine the idea that
progress is equated with ever increasing production, without considering
the impact on future generations. Some socialists repeat the capitalists’
lie that happiness comes from the unlimited abundance of goods, rather
than from transformed human relations. The ecologist movement also faces
debates, especially about overpopulation and the influence of economic,
political and ideological campaigns of the most polluting companies. Under
socialism we can get more from less: a democratically planned economy
will make more useful things with less waste and fewer resources.
Save money; book early
To book your seat at the event for £10 waged or £6 unwaged,
email us at contact@socialistresistance.net or call us on 020 8800 7460.
You can save £2 by buying your ticket in advance: send a cheque
for £8 or £4, payable to ‘Resistance’, to us at
PO Box 1109, London, N4 2UU.
Ecosocialist resources
An Ecosocialist Manifesto
http://tinyurl.com/pnjyv
Ecology and Socialism
http://tinyurl.com/f9r4c
Tsunami, Katrina, Kashmir
http://tinyurl.com/kurg6
Campaign against Climate Change
http://www.campaigncc.org