Climate change will hit poorest of poor hardest
SP Newsletter No.167
In February a UN-sponsored international committee of scientists, the IPCC, issued Part One of a report that concluded that climate change had started, as a result of human activity (principally the burning of fossil fuels: coal, gas and oil), and was likely to get worse. Part Two was released in Brussels on 6 April and spelt out the consequences of unmitigated global warming.
IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri predicted “it’s the poorest of the poor in the world, and this includes poor people even in prosperous societies, who are going to be worst hit”. The report speaks of extra energy in weather systems, brought about by rising temperatures (caused by increased greenhouse gases), adding to the frequency, or intensifying the effects, of famines, water shortages, extreme weather and floods.
Temperature rises at the poles will lead to increased sea levels and threaten hundreds of millions with coastal and tidal river flooding - from Bangladesh to London. Some studies have already linked the loss of sea ice in the Arctic to changes in rainfall patterns in southern and western Europe.
No continent will be immune from climate change, but perhaps Africa is one of the most vulnerable. The IPCC report warns that by 2020 between 75 million and 250 million people in Africa will be exposed “to an increase in water-stress”; basically seeing longer and more severe drought. Both floods and drought could lead to huge increases in migration and refugees as tens, perhaps hundreds, of millions of people move to escape.
If average temperatures rise by a further 1.5degC - 2.5degC, then the report predicts 20% to 30% of all plant and animal species would be “at high risk of irreversible extinction”.
The IPCC report is based on the work of thousands of scientists. But the final version was a product of pressure from politicians particularly from the US, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia, and was ‘edited’, in reality, toned down to deflect calls for action.
However, more and more people are concluding that urgent action must be taken to cut harmful greenhouse gas pollution. But against the tide of public opinion are the interests of the owners and shareholders in transport, energy and wider industry who do not want any reduction in their profits.
On a capitalist basis, all of the major parties would rely on ‘the market’ to deliver cuts in emissions. Any capitalist party will also do so at the expense of workers’ jobs in so-called ‘dirty industries’, or by bigger taxes on ordinary people’s energy and transport.
Socialists, on the other hand, will fight climate change with a programme of rational planning of resources, based on public ownership and public good - not private profit - and by the international action of millions of ordinary people seeking to build a planet with a sustainable, socialist future.
Without international socialist action billions of people face shortages of food and water, extreme weather and floods. Building an international working class alternative to unmitigated climate change is an urgent necessity. This is what the Socialist Party is working towards.
Join the Socialist Party
If you like what you have read in our newsletter or on our website you should consider joining SP. The Socialist Party has branches in Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Perth as well as members and supporters in all other states. We are involved in trade union work and student work. We also run community, anti-war and environmental campaigns. But most of all we want to build a party that will fight to overthrow the capitalist system. We fight for socialism - a system that will bring an end to wars, poverty and environmental destruction. For more information about joining in your area contact the SP National Office. 0396399111
SP subscriber List
Become a supporter of SP today! Join our subscribers list - only $20 per year or $10 concession. You will receive our newspaper ‘The Socialist’, delivered to your door every month, and our email newsletter every week. You will also know that you are supporting a party that is at the fore of the fight back against Howard and against capitalism. Contact the SP National Office now on 0396399111 to join the list.
The Socialist
Issue 32 of SP’s monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’ is out now! Readers can pick up a copy at our regular street stalls, from our National Office or by joining the SP subscriber’s list. This month’s paper features articles on APEC, Qantas, NSW state election, David Hicks, Iraq, a report from our councillor in Yarra, G20 arrests, and a centre page spread on the environment.
SP now on My Space!
My Space is an online forum for networking. You can use it to chat, share photos, videos and journals. SP is using it to promote our party and meet people interested in socialist politics. Check out our site here
Regional Activity
Victoria
The SP Melbourne Branch meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall in Carlton South. 1st Floor Corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets. This week the branch will host a meeting on the role of a revolutionary party. All welcome.
New South Wales
To find out more info or to join SP in Sydney contact Gary - 02 9728 7727
To find out more info or to join SP in Newcastle contact Samantha - 02 4968 1545
Western Australia
To find out more info or to join SP in Perth contact John on – 08 9402 0728
Please note childcare is available at all SP meetings but only by prior arrangement please call ahead first.
News links just a click away –
Ireland: Socialist MP attacks Irish Prime Minister for visiting Bush
Click here
Ukraine: President’s call for new elections denounced as “illegal†by Prime Minister
By Rob Jones, Moscow
Click here
Italy: Interview with Marco Verrugio of Marxist ‘Countercurrent’
Click here
Get Active - Join the fight back, Get Militant - Join the Socialist Party
The Socialist Party is the Australian section of the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI).
To contact or join the SP or CWI anywhere in Australia or the world call our National Office
++61 3 9639 9111
‘Workers of the world unite – you’ve got nothing to lose but your chains’
