Socialist Resistance 'climate change equals class war'

In December the world’s rulers will meet in Copenhagen to discuss what they will do when the notably unsuccessful Kyoto Protocol expires. They won’t be alone. Lobbyists from the aviation, petrochemical and mining industries will be pressurising them in defence of their “right” to alter the planet’s climate by pumping millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Writing in this issue Phil Thornhill of the Campaign Against Climate Change says of Kyoto, “it was so weak and so full of holes that it was not going to achieve any significant concrete results”. In Copenhagen the stakes are much higher. Earlier this year Kim Carstensen of the WWF said, “We are at the point where our climate system is starting to spin out of control… the latest science confirms that we are now seeing devastating consequences of warming that were not expected to hit for decades .”

Climate change will be a major element in the class struggle nationally and globally in the coming years. It is the world’s poorest who will suffer most and in the richer countries it will be working people, women and the vulnerable whom capitalism will try and force to pay the price for adapting to climate change. In Peru, as Derek Wall reports, clashes are taking place between a government intent on destroying forests in search of oil while the global levels of malnutrition are rising.

In Britain the Vestas closure was an indication of just how unserious New Labour is about planning in a coherent way to create the sorts of jobs and industrial base that will be required if the economy is to become much less reliant on CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions. By contrast it effectively pours huge subsidies into the airline companies and is willing to force through airport expansion in the teeth of opposition from popular local campaigns.

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Extend, defend, deepen the commons

Sign the commons manifesto...from the Pirate Party to the indigenous of Peru the defenders of commons are winning victories I salute them (although I hope the Pirates can join up with the Green Party not just in the EU but every where!)

About the Commons Campaign.

This website is dedicated to the collection of signatures for the "Reclaim the Commons" global call, launched at the World Social Forum held in Belém do Pará (Brazil) in January, 2009. The presentation of the "Reclaim the Commons" manifesto, on the occasion of the Belém WSF 2009, was the starting point of an international mobilization campaign to reclaim, protect and re-create the commons. The purpose of this campaign is to popularize the notion of Commons by opening a participatory space which allows us to share and discuss ideas and initiatives concerning the future of the commons. The Manifesto is just a starting point.

Everybody is invited to critically comment on it and to share his/her visions, ideas and commons-related practices. It goes without saying, that the Manifesto (closely) refers to numerous texts and ideas that have been produced during the last few years. We cordially invite everybody to sign the Manifesto, to discuss it and to spread the word. The initiatives and practices concerning the various aspects of the Commons are numerous and of prodigious diversity. Farmers, educators, patients, technicians, activists, scientists, artists, parents, etc., they all fight daily for the Commons, with imagination and creativity. The objective of this campaign is to bring those initiatives together, to multiply their impacts, by creating new ties among the commoners worldwide, both in cyberspace and in person.

Our hope is to facilitate the genesis of new ideas and mobilizations - as free, creative, and diverse as possible. We invite everybody to present your initiatives for reclaiming, protecting or creating the commons at the following site: http://commons-campaign.org. Take advantage of this opportunity to promote your initiative and this campaign; call your friends and colleagues to sign the Manifesto, connect people and their organizations so that the Commons becomes a top issue on the agenda of global social movements.

In 5 languages http://bienscommuns.org/signature/appel/?a=appel&lang=en

Humankind is suffering from an unprecedented campaign of privatization and commodification of the most basic elements of life: nature, culture, human work and knowledge itself. In countless arenas, businesses are claiming our shared inheritance - sciences, creative works, water, the atmosphere, health, education, genetic diversity, even living creatures - as private property. A compulsive quest for short-term financial gain is sacrificing the prosperity of all and the stability of the Earth itself.

The dismal consequences of market enclosures can be seen in our declining ecosystems: the erosion of soil and biodiversity, global climate change, reduction of food sovereingty. Agressive intellectual property politics harness those suffering from neglected deseases or who can't purchase patented medicines, reduce cultural diversity, limit access to knowledge and education, and promote a global consumerist culture.

The World Social Forum of 2009, meeting at Belem, Pará, in Brazil, convened at a very special moment: a time when the neoliberal vision of unfettered markets, global finance and private regulation and control has utterly failed. It also meets at a time when people are recognizing the many life-giving resources of our Earth and human societies should not be privatized or commodified because of the enormous harms and inequalities that result. As more citizens discover this reality, a new vision of society is arising - one that honors human rights, democratic participation, inclusion and cooperation.

People are discovering that alternatives and commons-based approaches offer practical solutions for protecting water and rivers, agricultural soils, seeds, knowledge, sciences, forest, oceans, wind, money, communication and online collaborations, culture, music and other arts, open technologies, free software, public services of education, health or sanitization, biodiversity and the wisdom of traditional knowledges.

The signers of this Manifesto, launched at the World Social Forum of 2009, call upon all citizens and organizations to commit themselves to recovering the Earth and humanity's shared inheritance and future creations. Let us demonstrate how commons-based management - participatory, collaborative and transparent - offers the best hope for building a world that is sustainable, fair and life-giving.

This Manifesto calls upon all citizens of the world to deepen the notion of the commons and to share the diverse approaches and experiences that it honors. In our many different ways, let us mobilize to reclaim the commons, organize their de-privatization and get them off markets, and strengthen our individual initiatives by joining together in this urgent, shared mission.

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Amnesty call for end to immoral US sanctions against Cuba

Amnesty has challenged US President Barack Obama to deliver on his change agenda by taking the first step towards dismantling the "immoral" US blockade of socialist Cuba.

The human rights group has urged Mr Obama not to renew Trading with the Enemy Act sanctions against the island as it published its new report looking at the impact of the US economic embargo.

The deadline for the renewal of sanctions under the Act is September 14.

The report concluded that the sanctions, imposed by the US since 1962, are particularly affecting Cubans' access to medicines and medical technologies and endangering the health of millions.

On the campaign trail last year Mr Obama told US citizens that, when "we win this election together, we're going to change the country and change the world."

Amnesty secretary general Irene Khan said: "This is the perfect opportunity for President Obama to distance himself from the failed policies of the past and to send a strong message to the US Congress on the need to end the embargo.

"The US embargo against Cuba is immoral and should be lifted - it's preventing millions of Cubans from benefiting from vital medicines and medical equipment essential for their health."

Under the blockade, Cuba faces severe restrictions on importing medicines, medical equipment or technologies from the US or from any US company abroad.

The sanctions also limit other imports to the island and restrict travel and the transfer of money.

Products patented in the US or containing more than 20 per cent US-manufactured parts or components cannot be exported to Cuba, even if they are produced in third countries.

Cuba's inability to import nutritional products for consumption at schools, hospitals and daycare centres is contributing to a high prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia.

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Green Party of India?

I am very much hoping to meet Subhas Dutta when he is Britain in September.

He is planning to create a Green Party of India, which is long over due, I have had the pleasure of working with Dr Debal Deb, the West Bengal scientist and I hope that Mr Dutta will talk to Debal who has advice would I am sure be of great value.

There are huge struggle to protect land and oppose enclosure in India and India has long historical traditions of respecting nature.

The way in which indigenous politics based on respect for Mother Earth has become organised and made a huge impact in Latin America has to be a model for other parts of the planet.

The left in India, I gather, are largely ignorant of ecological struggles and don't often question the need for a different kind of economic system based on ecology and grassroots participation.

Tough country to form and sustain a Green Party, good luck to those trying!

The UN General Assembly names Evo Morales ‘World defender of Mother Earth’

had this from Hugo Blanco, gracias...have repasted this with Ian Angus's better translation than mine plus the original Spanish version.

This award is an award to indigenous people for their defence of mother earth.

Bolivian president Evo Morales has been declared “World Hero of Mother Earth,” by the General Assembly of the United Nations.
The first indigenous head of state in the Americas was presented with a medal and scroll in a ceremony in La Paz on Saturday, August 29.
General Assembly president Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann described Morales as the leading exponent and model of love for Pachamamma, the Quechua term for Mother Earth. Morales, he said, had shown clearly that the environmental crisis is caused by the “anti-values” of individualism, greed, selfishness and social and environmental irresponsibility – and that it can only be overcome by the spirit and practice of human solidarity.
Morales said that the award was not for him, but for “our ancestors, the native peoples who defended Mother Earth before colonialism, during the colonial period and during the republic.”
Morales said Bolivia’s experience in raising “living in harmony with the defense of Mother Earth” has international repercussions. He gave Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca credit for proposing the policy of “Buen Vivir” – living in harmony with Mother Earth – when the governmental program was first developed.
Morales is one of three world leaders to be given “World Hero” awards. The others are Cuban president Fidel Castro, named World Hero of Solidarity and the late president of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, named World Hero of Social Justice.
* * * * * *
Climate and Capitalism thanks Hugo Blanco, editor of the Peruvian newspaper Lucha Indigena (Indigenous Struggle), for drawing our attention to the following report, which appeared in the Mexican paper La Jornada.
La ONU nombra a Evo Morales “Héroe Mundial de la Madre Tierra”
La Asamblea General de Naciones Unidas nombró el sábado al Presidente Evo Morales “Héroe Mundial de la Madre Tierra”. La distinción fue entregada en Palacio de Gobierno por el presidente de la Asamblea General de la ONU.
D´Escoto señaló que el primer presidente indígena de Bolivia fue nominado entre los tres líderes del mundo que encarnan los valores dignos. Morales comparte la distinción con el líder histórico de la revolución cubana Fidel Castro, que fue nombrado “Héroe Mundial de la Solidaridad” y con el presidente difunto de Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, nominado “Héroe Mundial de la Justicia Social”.
“Reconociendo que el máximo exponente y paradigma de amor a la madre tierra en este mundo es el Presidente Evo Morales constructor de la nueva hermana república plurinacional de Bolivia e insigne luchador por la verdadera democracia y paz”, señala la resolución con la que el mandatario boliviano fue distinguido.
D´Escoto afirmó que la distinción es uno de de los acontecimientos políticos más importantes en toda la historia de América Latina y el Caribe, ya que Morales demostró que los problemas ambientales “causados por los anti valores de individualismo, codicia, egoísmo e irresponsabilidad social y ambiental sólo pueden ser superados por el espíritu y la práctica de la solidaridad”.
“Ha sido el hecho de que nuestro hermano el Presidente Evo Morales Ayma haya llegado a la presidencia de Bolivia y el estar en ese lugar ha permitido que los valores de nuestro pueblo originarios sean expresados a través de él”, remarcó D´Escoto al entregarle una medalla y un pergamino que testimonia el nombramiento.
D´Escoto aseguró que el mandatario boliviano, “en su mensaje tan lucidamente expresado”, conmovió muchísimo a las Naciones Unidas y su defensa incansable del medioambiente y de los recurso naturales ha tenido un gran impacto.
“Porque el mensaje que él nos lleva, que nos ha traído, el mensaje de que nosotros necesitamos de la Tierra y que ella necesita de nosotros, es muy importante”, remarcó.
El presidente de la Asamblea General de la ONU reveló que la distinción fue aprobada después de una iniciativa del rey de Arabia Saudita, que tras escuchar el discurso de Morales en defensa de la Madre Tierra, sugirió convocar a una reunión para establecer en qué forma los valores ancestrales podían reactivarse para ayudar a las Naciones Unidas a enfrentar en forma efectiva las diferentes crisis, una de las más grandes provocada por el cambio climático.
“Lo que estamos queriendo hacer es presentar ante el mundo a estas tres personas y decirle que ellos encarnan las virtudes los valores dignos de ser emulados por todos nosotros”, subrayó.
“Él fue el que más ayudó a que Naciones Unidas declare el Día Mundial de la Madre Tierra, estamos en un momento en la historia que necesitamos un cambio de valores, regresar a los valores ancestrales”, agregó.
Morales logró el pasado 22 de abril que la ONU declare esa fecha como Día Internacional de la Madre Tierra, y que la comunidad internacional se sume a la devoción y el respeto milenario de los pueblos andinos por la Pachamana (Madre Tierra en aymara)
“Lo que estamos queriendo hacer es presentar ante el mundo a estas tres personas y decirle al mundo que ellos encarnan las virtudes los valores dignos de ser emulados por todos nosotros”, enfatizó D´Escoto.
Reconocimiento a los pueblos originarios
El Presidente Morales señaló que el reconocimiento es para los pueblos originarios y sus antepasados, que siempre defendieron los derechos del planeta Tierra.
“Gracias al padre Miguel D’Escoto por su visita, a su esfuerzo para traer un reconocimiento. No es un reconocimiento a Evo Morales, es un reconocimiento a nuestros antepasados, a pueblos originarios antes de la colonia, durante la colonia, durante la República, siempre nuestros hermanos han defendido la Madre Tierra”, dijo.
Morales aseguró que la experiencia de Bolivia, al plantear “vivir en armonía con la defensa de la Madre Tierra”, tiene repercusión a nivel internacional y es un reconocimiento a los antepasados.
“Esas comunidades donde no hay egoísmo, en esas comunidades donde no hay individualismo, en esas comunidades donde no hay ambición. Saludo las palabras del Padre cuando dice que hay que recuperar las vivencias en comunidad, esas vivencias de los pueblos indígenas originarios”, agregó.
El Primer Mandatario reconoció que el planteamiento del “Vivir Bien”, en comunidad con la Madre Tierra, fue sugerido por el canciller David Choquehuanca, quien aportó con el término para elaborar el programa de Gobierno en 2002.
Dijo que en base a la vivencia de los antepasados el bienestar de la humanidad depende del bienestar del planeta Tierra, por lo que planteará la defensa de los derechos del planeta, identificando a sus principales enemigos.
“Ya es hora de identificar a los enemigos del planeta Tierra si queremos defender la vida humana y por eso ahora nuestro planteamiento es plantear ante las Naciones Unidas cómo batallar por los derechos de la Madre Tierra”, dijo.
Morales manifestó que el planteamiento de Bolivia ante la comunidad internacional será abogar en conjunto por la defensa de los derechos de la Tierra para enarbolar una bandera de lucha por la defensa de la naturaleza.

Green Party GPEX chair debate!

http://www.youtube.com/gpexhustings



Chair hustings are now on Youtube. There will also be a live hustings at conference.



Joseph

The rise of European Bobo politics

Interesting article in Red Pepper on the green right, Greens who drop green policies and go into coalition governments.

I certainly happy that the French Greens did well and elected Jose Bove, however Cohn-Bendit is certainly keen to move the Greens across Europe in a centre ground direction, ditching key ecological commitments in the process which is profoundly worrying.

Well if the Greens here ever go right I will go to climate camp! However the Green Party of England and Wales seems to be on the left and gaining votes, so good!

Any way on to the Bobo politics...




The rise of European Bobo politics
Cohn-Bendit’s Europe Ecologie victory in France emboldens the Green right across Europe but does it also mean the death of traditional green principles asks Leigh Philips

The success of Europe Ecologie in France and moderate advances elsewhere in the June European elections have emboldened the green right but disaster in Ireland, where the party was wiped out - and to a lesser extent in the Czech Republic - shows what happens when they abandon their principles for a shot at the big league.

Since the France’s Europe Ecologie triumph in the European elections, the European media have been talking of a Green wave across the continent, with leading member Daniel Cohn-Bendit’s gurning visage nigh on inescapable.

But the effervescent Cohn-Bendit has every right to be in an especially jolly mood - the result was indeed truly spectacular. It saw them soaring from the 7.45 per cent of the French vote in the 2004 EU elections and their embarrassing 1.57 per cent in the 2007 presidential elections.

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