[Pil-pc-oceania] Politics - 10-point climate action plan

Mon Aug 13 10:44:04 EST 2007

Politics - 10-point climate action planThanks for this, 

(Although I would not refer to it as socialism, any more than I refer to all green businesses as capitalism) 
permaculture inputs to this charter appear to have been outstanding.

In fact I think permaculture is a much more appropriate word for it!  

I have yet to see anywhere else a description of socialism as 'ecologically sustainable'. This is the first instance of such a definition I have yet encountered. (I can recall supporting green independent political candidates before any socialist newspaper ever printed a word about the environment, and before there was even a Green party as such). 

Clearly, it is green movements, such as those growing environmental awareness campaigns which heightened in the 60's and 70's, which have led the way.  
Whilst gratifying, it must now be translated into ever more government push power. (If we can demonstrate some electoral muscle, we can begin to legislate our agenda)
This is a global phenomenon, as we, the human race, develop our understanding of what it means to live life on earth, on a conscious collective level, and demand our right to do so.

While we embrace some socialist principles, (eg citing examples like Czechoslovakia pre -1968, Sweden, or even aspects of the current Germany) we risk alienating some potential voters. Eg, I'm struggling to name parties in Australia who have got anywhere running with 'Socialist' in a party name in recent times.
Its a label with connotations and a lot of history, not all good.(see below).  Obviously the tag is not much of a vote-getter, hence the need to 'own our roots'  

Permaculture was not birthed by a socialist movement, although the self sufficiency model is as good a basis for socialsim as any.
Fact remains that socialist-leaning candidates in this country get an extremely small percentage of the vote, (unless they are in the left faction of the Labor party, where they remain a minority).  Even so, it is very unlikely that we will see a government in our lifetime which 'seizes control of the means of production'. 
I think we might have to do that one ourselves, by demanding the buying back of energy utiliites for a start, the better to re-green them. Absolutely.

Electing green candidates into the House of Reps is made more difficult by the optional preferential voting system, but by a plebiscite that too can be changed to a proportional representation model, (such as Tasmania has with multi-member electorates).
I wonder when we will be able to get enough green candidates into the lower house to govern in a green/-- coalition?
The Senate remains the most viable option, unless the generic green vote can be raised. It's currently running at 18% in Tasmania.

Congratulations to those who have had input into this charter.

"From little things, big things grow".

Deb the pleb

PS: Here's one dictionary definition of socialism (Collin's Australian):
Socialism (3) (in Leninist theory) "a transitional stage after the proletarian revolution in the development of a society from capitalism to communism;
characterised by the distribution of income according to work rather than need".   Sounds like....Workchoices/work-for-the-dole rolled into one. 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Robyn Francis 
  To: permacultue discussion list 
  Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2007 11:34 PM
  Subject: [Pil-pc-oceania] Politics - 10-point climate action plan

  For those following the political thread, the Socialist Alliance has released its climate action policy paper and action plan. There was some pc influences and input into this and other SA policy papers. 
  Have posted a quote and the 10-point plan below - for the full rave: http://greenleft.wikispaces.com/charter
  Robyn

  "Just as previous mass movements forced the Australian government to withdraw from the war in Vietnam and stop plans to dam Tasmania's Franklin River, so the movement to avert climate catastrophe must mean more than just voting for change. It will need to campaign in the streets, workplaces, schools and universities to win wide public support for the changes that need to be made.

  Imposing those changes also means challenging the capitalist market, which has failed to protect future generations and can no longer be allowed to stop us from averting climatic disaster. The measures outlined above are not only absolutely necessary to prevent global warming getting out of control, they also lay the basis for a society that is sustainable on an ongoing basis, because they subordinate production to human and environmental imperatives. We call that democratically planned and ecologically sustainable system "socialism", but whatever name it goes by it's what the planet and its peoples need."

  The Socialist Alliance 10-point climate action plan

  1. Aim for 60% overall emissions reduction, including 95% power station emissions reduction, by 2020, and 90% overall emissions reduction by 2030. Immediate comprehensive planning, including annual targets of 4-5% or more, to meet these targets on time or sooner.

  2. Ratify the Kyoto treaty and initiate a further international treaty and mutual assistance program to bring other countries together to meet a global target of 90 % emissions reductions on 1990 levels by 2030. Focus on cutting rich industrial nations' emissions as a priority, and supply non-polluting means of industrial and social development to poorer countries.

  3. Start the transition to a zero-waste economy. In the first place, establish an energy auditing department to investigate industrial energy waste and recommend legislation or other measures to end it, including improving or banning wasteful consumer products such as those with built-in obsolescence. Engage workers in industry to redesign their products and jobs sustainably, in consultation with the appropriate technical experts.

  4. Set a minimum 10-star energy efficiency rating for all new buildings. Require the fitting of all feasible energy efficiency measures to existing houses upon lease changes, building renovations, etc., and subsidise owner-occupiers for the costs. Allow renters to use the same system. Immediately begin a program to install photo-voltaic solar panels and solar hot water heaters on home roofs, subsidised or owned by the electricity authority. Give commercial buildings a deadline to meet six-star energy standards within two years, and 10-star standards within 10 years.

  5. Bring all power industries under public ownership and democratic control. Begin phasing out coal mining and power immediately. Ensure a fair transition plan (including guaranteed jobs and retraining on full pay) for coalmining and power-station worker communities, with new sustainable industries being built in their areas and paid redundancies offered. Run the maximum possible base-load power from existing natural gas and/or hydro power stations instead of coal, as an interim measure until renewable energy can take over. Coal to be used only for predicted energy peaks in the short term until renewable energy sources replace first it, and then the natural gas power stations as well.

  6. Bring the immense manufacturing potential of the auto industry under public control. Re-tool this industry for manufacturing wind turbines, public transport vehicles and infrastructure, solar hot water, solar photo-voltaic cells, etc., and for converting existing cars to electric power. Subsidise the conversion of private cars to electric, plus buy back and recycle unneeded vehicles.

  7. Immediately begin constructing wind farms in suitable areas. Fund research into further wind, solar photovoltaic cells, geothermal, concentrating solar thermal, biofuel (from waste), wave and tidal generation sources, with pilot solar-thermal and geothermal plants set up immediately. Create a power grid with distributed, diversified electricity generation for stability and efficiency.

  8. Stop logging old-growth forests and begin an urgent program of re-forestation and protecting biodiversity to ensure a robust biosystem that can survive the stress of climate change and provide an increased carbon sink.

  9. End industrial farming based on fossil-fuel fertilisers, pesticides and fuels. Restrict farming areas to ensure that riverine, forest and other indigenous ecosystems return to healthy states. Assist farming to be transferred to organic practices and decentralised to include urban farming. This process must be undertaken at a rate that ensures food security, and guarantees continuing work and livelihood for farming communities.

  10. Make all urban and regional public transport free and upgrade the network to enable all urban residents to use it for all their regular commuting. Nationalise and upgrade interstate train and ferry services, while making them cheaper than air travel. Reduce reliance on air travel while ensuring equal but limited access, and aim to replace air travel with trains (and ferries on Bass Strait). As much freight as possible to be moved to rail. All rail and light rail to be electrified, other public transport and freight to run on electric motors or biofuels from waste where possible. Encourage bicycle use through more cycleways, bike racks on public transport and more public shower facilities. Implement free or very cheap bicycle rental networks, as in Barcelona and other European cities.

  Authorised by D. Nichols, 23 Abercrombie St, Chippendale 2007.
  Printed by Spotpress, 24-26 Lilian Fowler Pl, Marrickville 2204. 

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