by T4P friend Paul Chatterton (Director of the MA in Activism and Social Change at Leeds Uni: www.activismsocialchange.org.uk)
We all saw the failures of the UN COP talks in Copenhagen. A partial cessation of democracy as thousands of people were preventatively arrested and detained, fraudulent agreements, bullying of the global south by the north, back room deals, delay tactics, misunderstanding, mutual suspicion, and a final accord that was only ‘noted’.
I spent the last week of the talks in Copenhagen and what became extremely clear was that it was not us - civil society - but the leaders and delegates of the rich nations who failed to get a deal. We have workable solutions and we need to say this over and over again. These solutions need to be part of building a growing social movement, winning arguments with the public, influencing the media, our friends, families and politicians.
So what are the some of the major demands post-Copenhagen? Here are some signposts.
First, a commitment to that magic number of 350 parts per million (ppm) of carbon in the atmosphere. 350 – it’s a key number. Only at this level will be keep under that 2 degree celcius of warming. What’s on the table currently commits us to almost a 4 degree rise. This is not acceptable.
Second, an International Criminal court and legislature that can go after the big polluters and those who don’t comply with carbon cuts (both countries and corporations).
Third, a moratorium on the supply of fossil fuels limited to 60% of proven reserves, backed by a roadmap by the phase-out of all fossil fuel use by 2030. This is essentially a call to campaign around ‘leaving the oil in the soil’ and ‘the coal in the hole’.
Fourth, huge reparations from rich to poor nations to make up for the huge carbon debt. Remember, climate change is a problem which historically was caused by the west and one which worst hits developing nations. These financial transfers need to be subject to democratic control (NOT the World Bank), and could be paid for by redirecting military budgets, and by progressive and debt cancellation.
Finally, a rejection of market-based solution – especially the growth of carbon markets which is privatising new areas of land and forest. Enshrined in this will be a legal agreement respecting indigenous land rights, the right to rural livelihoods, and food sovereignty.
None of these ideas were even remotely part of the official deal, but they are all essential if we are to have a world worth living in and passing on to future generations. Much of this draws on the demands of the ‘Climate Justice Now!‘ coalition and the ideas of Climate Justice Action here in Europe. They are being discussed and taken forward by the Camp for Climate Action group.
If you want to get involved locally, the Yorkshire neighbourhood of the Climate Camp is meeting, discussing and taking action to make these ideas a reality – it meets at the Common Place. Leeds and Yorkshire have a role to play like any other in creating a more socially and ecologically just future.
Locally, we have to push the regional coal industry to decarbonise or decommission by 2030, stop expansion at the airport, stop the renewed push for nuclear, push for huge demand reductions in energy use and consumerism, whilst supporting renewable and efficiency drives.
We also have to push for a regional economy that is not based on ceaseless growth or unsustainable service sector jobs, but new ways of working that are more humane, localised and equal. We need a city and regional government committed to taking decisive action in order for Leeds and Yorkshire to have a future.
That’s the challenge. Get involved.
See: www.climate-justice-now.org, www.climatecamp.org.uk, www.thecommonplace.org.uk & www.paulchatterton.com