Communities Uniting for Climate Action Now!

This is an American venture. But today I went to a meeting in a recently built eco-house that is used for community events. The meeting was convened by Labour, but had representatives of all the major parties there, including the Greens, as well as other interested groups such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and Hastings Environmental Network, plus of course members of the public. It was standing room only, but as it is a small venue that means just over 100 so not amazing, but as the building is in an outlying district (Ore), not so bad either.

The message from the incumbant MP and the councillors is still too close to 'Business as Usual, with the odd tweek' for my taste (for example, the policies of more housing, a link road, and 'regeneration' are obviously sacrosanct and cannot be questioned). But the atmosphere is changing, the lip service is new, the co-option of Green and Anarchist positions never required before, so there is an upside...

Too little too late? is a worry for some, but frankly a self-fulfilling prophecy - and, in combination with the earlier "we don't have to worry yet" attitude, deadly. However, right now my concern is that there is no discussion of Contraction of the economy (coupled with convergence with poorer nations, perhaps); no discussion of avoiding the gaping hole between rich and poor becoming one between rich(ish) and impoverished; no discussion of rolling back capitalist ventures such as Private Finance Initiative which effectively mimic structural adjustment plans to developing countries by butchering welfare services by stealing their funds in the name of a 'free' market; or of nationalising core services such as transport, water, power, and last but not least food distribution (as the JIT system is going to murder millions of us when a real crisis hits).

Let's keep our eyes on the prize and not let the co-optive powers that be win out by taking the rhetoric without the action! They at least (here) seem to mean well, but the road to hell is after all paved with 'em!

Tim

http://stepitup2007.org/

Communities Uniting for Climate Action Now!

This April 14th, tens of thousands of Americans will gather all across the country at meaningful, iconic places to call for action on climate change. We will hike, climb, walk, swim, kayak, canoe, or simply sit or stand with banners of our call to action:

"Step it up congress! Cut carbon 50% by 2050"

500 Actions Nationwide!
The Step It Up Organizing Team Jan 31, 2007

Wow.

In just over a month, Americans all over the country have stepped up to the challenge of forming a national climate movement. In 500 iconic places, communities will come together to demand, in a unified voice, strong action on climate change. We're astounded at the number of people who have dedicated some of their time to organize or attend an action on April 14.

We'll be canyoneering in the West, forming a human line depicting what high water levels might look like in Manhattan fifty years from now, standing together in a town park, on the steps of Churches and Synagogues, or on a college campus. Beyond just the sheer number of actions, and the masses of passionate people who are organizing them, the range of activities is exciting.

April 14 will prove to be a milestone in the climate movement, and you all are part of it. It's going to be great! Keep one eye on the Capitol and the other trained on your community—lets make sure this is BIG.

Keep up the good work, and thanks for Stepping It Up!