[Pen-l] Labor Action for the Environment

[ehrbar <ehrbar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

One of the most commented items in GristMill right now is a table
classifying the different environmental organizations into 3
categories: those who support ACES, i.e., Waxman-Markey (Al Gore),
those who oppose it (James Hanson), and those who support it but want
it strengthened.

http://www.grist.org/article/2009-05-21-gore-v-hansen-on-climate-bill/

The debate gives convincing arguments that we are in the following
dilemma: If ACES passes, the planet will be made uninhabitable for
humans, and if ACES doesn't pass, the planet will be made
uninhabitable for humans too.

In other words, the economic and political system here in the USA does
not have the institutions in place which would be able to do the right
thing about climate change.  Therefore we have to think seriously
about how to change the system.  The capitalist system is very good at
making profits, i.e., at transferring the wealth produced by the
majority of the population to a small elite who control the means of
production, but this system is not equipped to do something seemingly
as simple as eliminating fossil fuels from our energy mix.  On the one
hand, environmentalists know this, see Gustave Speth's "Bridge at the
Edge of the World", but the full implications of this are not widely
discussed.

How do you change the system?  You look for those forces in the system
which have the power to unhinge it.  Obama cannot do it, progressives
and environmentally concerned citizens cannot do it.  I'm inclined to
think that the only social force which would have the power to change
the system if they wanted is the working class, i.e., all those people
whose labor produce the profits and growth that pushes our planet over
the brink.  With strikes, factory occupations, boss nappings, go-slow
actions, monkeywrenching, etc., they can trigger the needed urgent
action.  Not only would they act in their own best interest, but they
would probably meet with broadest support and enthusiasm from
everywhere in society if they were to attempt this.

I am not saying we need socialism first before we can tackle the
environment.  Since there is abundant evidence that working within the
system will not do it, I am arguing that only those who have enough
power to bring down the system itself have the power to effect the
policies necessary to keep the planet inhabitable.  This is the
working class.  The big arsenal of tactics from their fight against
exploitation should be employed in the fight for a livable planet for
our children and grandchildren.  This seems so simple and obvious that
I am amazed (once I myself thought about it) that there is not more
discussion about this.  Am I missing something?


Hans.

Hans G. Ehrbar   http://www.econ.utah.edu/~ehrbar ehrbar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Economics Department, University of Utah     (801) 581 7797 (my office)
1645 Campus Center Dr., Rm 308               (801) 581 7481 (econ office)
Salt Lake City    UT 84112-9300              (801) 585 5649 (FAX)
_______________________________________________
pen-l mailing list
pen-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l