Put the planet before profits!
SP Newsletter No.194
The issue of climate change is on everyone’s mind. Constantly we are told to turn off light switches, use our cars less and to buy environmentally friendly products as a way to reduce emissions. But will this be enough to fix the problems and what are the Greens and Labor Party saying about the issue?
The Labor Party promote ‘clean coal technology’ as a solution to climate change. This technology will take at least a decade to come on line. On ‘clean coal’ even a former CEO of BHP Billiton said “it’s as big as the issue of nuclear waste. What are you going to do with the millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide that is not nearly as compact as nuclear waste?†The $500 million the ALP has pledged should instead be allocated to existing developed renewable technologies.
Current coal fired power stations are the dirtiest source of energy, producing about 50% of Australia’s carbon emissions. As a result Australia emits the highest amount of greenhouse gas per capita in the world. A red-faced Peter Garrett has also had to try and justify the ALP position of supporting the Gunns pulp mill in Tasmania, which will see an increase in de-forestation, a major greenhouse contributor. The ALP have failed to produce any coherent plans to reduce emissions. This is because they are in bed with the big business polluters just as the Coalition are.
The Greens propose carbon trading for the energy sector and carbon taxes for the transport sector. Both offer no solution to climate change. Carbon emission trading is based on market mechanisms, and is already delivering massive profits to some, but it doesn’t reduce the quantum of greenhouse emissions. Carbon taxes, such as the tax on fuel on all cars and trucks, would mean massive extra costs for ordinary working people.
These pro-market measures are based on “buying the right to polluteâ€. Big business polluters and rich individuals are able to buy the right to degrade our environment. This is nowhere near as effective as cutting emissions. The obvious need is to stop the problem at the source.
While we have seen a focus from the capitalist parties to blame ordinary consumers for environmental problems, the reality is consumers do not control the resources. A few hundred multinational corporations control the bulk of the world’s resources and make the most important decisions about what products will be produced and how. It is these corporations that are the main source of environmental damage.
The Socialist Party supports the need for all of us to change our individual behaviour as a contribution to a more sustainable life style. However this will never be enough. Even if every Australian totally eliminated their residential emissions it would not result in significant cuts in emissions. The changes we make at the personal level would account for at best 20% of the change required.
The Greens proposal to make public transport GST free, will barely scratch the surface, and will be no guarantee for increased services or affordable fares. As is stands, our transport systems are run by heavily subsidised, billion-dollar multinationals. To seriously stop global warming by massively reducing car use and increasing usage of public transport, the transport system needs to be highly accessible, fast, and run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It should also be free at the point of use.
This would be economically attractive to the majority of people given the cost of purchasing a car, petrol, insurance, and repairs. Transportation accounts for up to 20% of working families incomes, second only to housing. A high quality public transport system would not only be green, but it would also mean an increase in people’s living standards. This is why we believe, that we need to take back into public ownership the transport and energy industries under workers control and management.
In order to tackle climate change we need to challenge the profit-driven big business polluters. Ultimately this system, based on the blind forces of the market, can never solve the crisis facing our environment. This is why the pro-market strategies of Labor and the Greens have failed us, and will continue to fail us. We need to start to adopt socialist solutions to solve environmental problems and act now.
Walk Against Warming
The Socialist Party calls on all of our supporters to attend the Walk Against Warming events in your capital city this weekend. Click the link below for more info about activities in your area. http://www.walkagainstwarming.org/
In Melbourne we are asking our supporters to meet us at 12.30pm on Sunday 11th November at the State Library with the walk proceeding down Swanston St. to Alexandra Gardens for an afternoon of live music, stalls and entertainment. SP will also host a public meeting on socialism and the environment after the event. It will be held at the Alexandra Gardens in our marquee and everyone is welcome! (Look for the Socialist Party banner).
Join the Socialist Party
If you agree with 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 get rid of 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. 03 9639 9111.
Subscribe to ‘The Socialist’ newspaper!
Become a supporter of SP by subscribing to our monthly newspaper ‘The Socialist’. It only costs $20 per year or $10 concession and you will receive our paper delivered to your door every month. You will also receive our email newsletter every week and will know that you are supporting an organisation that is at the fore of fighting against the system. To subscribe contact the SP National Office on 03 9639 9111
Issue 39 of ‘The Socialist’ is out now! This month we have produced a federal election special edition. We have printed 30,000 copies and on top of distributing them to our subscribers and selling them on street stalls around the country, we will be letterboxing them to a large part of the seat of Melbourne where SP member Kylie McGregor will be standing.
If you can help with out letterboxing, even if it is only a few streets call our National Office on 9639 9111. Otherwise readers can pick up a copy at our regular street stalls, from our National Office or by becoming a subscriber. This month’s paper features articles on the federal election including IR laws, health, education, the economy, gay marriage, immigration, drugs, Iraq war, nuclear power and global warming.
Regional Activity
Victoria
The SP Melbourne Branch will host a special public meeting this week on Public Housing Today. Speakers will be Gerard Ahern and Stephen Jolly. It will be held at 7pm Wednesday 14th November in the community rooms at the bottom of the high rise tower at 140 Brunswick St Fitzroy. For more info call 96399111. 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 –
This week read all the CWI news from our region
Malaysia: Independent class politics and socialist programme
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2007/11/07malaya.html
Burma: Military Junta crushes movement but embers of resistance still alight
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2007/11/07burmaa.html
China: Ruling Communist Party’s 17th National Congress
http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2007/11/02chinaa.html
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 on +61 3 9639 9111
‘Workers of the world unite – you’ve got nothing to lose but your chains’
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