after copenhagen

““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.