There is a lot of attention on the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland. I am certain little will be done that can even slow down the rapidly accelerating environmental chaos for several reasons.
Industrial nations have waited far too long to begin to seriously work to get greenhouse gas emissions under control. While every effort should be made to cut emissions, it is painfully obvious that protecting our environment is not a priority of industrialized nations, which continue to expand fossil fuel projects and to subsidize the fossil fuel industry.
Existing governments’ policies will continue to protect the capitalist economy regardless of the environmental consequences. This means we must replace the capitalist economic system. See also: Rejecting capitalism
There is a time lag between the injection of emissions into the atmosphere, and when the effects of those emissions are seen. If burning fossil fuels ended immediately, carbon dioxide levels would continue to rise.
The Alternative?
For thousands of years Indigenous peoples have lived in harmony with Mother Earth. We must follow Indigenous leadership now. See: Indigenous Led Green New Deal
Although the world’s Indigenous population continues to experience unequal access to influential forums such as COP26, they have had an outsize role in calling attention to the impacts of climate change.
Globally, Indigenous people comprise only 5 percent of the population yet manage 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity such as forests, tundra and mountains. And although they exert the smallest carbon footprint, they are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, according to research published in the academic journal, Nature Sustainability.
“Indigenous peoples are action makers, innovators, through their traditional knowledge,” wrote Hindou Oumarou, a member of the Facilitative Working Group, in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals blog. Ibrahim is a member of the Mbororo pastoralist people in Chad and president of the Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad.
“For centuries, Indigenous peoples have protected the environment, which provides them food, medicine and so much more,” she said. “Now it’s time to protect and benefit from their unique traditional knowledge to bring concrete and natural solutions to fight climate change.”
INDIGENOUS LEADERS FACE BARRIERS TO UN CLIMATE CONFERENCE By Mary Annette Pember, Indian Country Today, September 18, 2021
… what if the question all water protectors and land defenders asked was, why don’t we just overturn the system that makes development a threat in the first place? This system, again, is capitalism.
Rather than taking an explicitly conservationist approach, the Red Deal instead proposes a comprehensive, full-scale assault on capitalism, using Indigenous knowledge and tried-and-true methods of mass mobilization as its ammunition. In this way, it addresses what are commonly thought of as single issues like the protection of sacred sites—which often manifest in specific uprisings or insurrections—as structural in nature, which therefore require a structural (i.e., non-reformist reform) response that has the abolition of capitalism via revolution as its central goal.
We must be straightforward about what is necessary. If we want to survive, there are no incremental or “non-disruptive” ways to reduce emissions. Reconciliation with the ruling classes is out of the question. Market-based solutions must be abandoned. We have until 2050 to reach net-zero carbon emissions. That’s it. Thirty years.
The struggle for a carbon-free future can either lead to revolutionary transformation or much worse than what Marx and Engels imagined in 1848, when they forewarned that “the common ruin of the contending classes” was a likely scenario if the capitalist class was not overthrown. The common ruin of entire peoples, species, landscapes, grasslands, waterways, oceans, and forests—which has been well underway for centuries—has intensified more in the last three decades than in all of human existence.
Nation, The Red. The Red Deal (pp. 21-22). Common Notions. Kindle Edition.
Following is a diagram I’ve been working on to illustrate the dangers of capitalism, and the alternatives, LandBack, Abolition, and Mutual Aid.
I’m of the firm opinion that a system that was built by stolen bodies on stolen land for the benefit of a few is a system that is not repairable. It is operating as designed, and small changes (which are the result of huge efforts) to lessen the blow on those it was not designed for are merely half measures that can’t ever fully succeed.
So the question is now, where do we go from here? Do we continue to make incremental changes while the wealthy hoard more wealth and the climate crisis deepens, or do we do something drastic that has never been done before? Can we envision and create a world where a class war from above isn’t a reality anymore?”
Ronnie James
capitalism must be reversed and dismantled. meaning that capitalistic practices must be reprogrammed with mutual aid practices
Des Moines Black Liberation
mutual aid is the new economy. mutual aid is community. it is making sure your elderly neighbor down the street has a ride to their doctor’s appointment. mutual aid is making sure the children in your neighborhood have dinner, or a warm coat for the upcoming winter. mutual aid is planting community gardens.
Des Moines Black Liberation
capitalism has violated the communities of marginalized folks. capitalism is about the value of people, property and the people who own property. those who have wealth and property control the decisions that are made. the government comes second to capitalism when it comes to power.
in the name of liberation, capitalism must be reversed and dismantled. meaning that capitalistic practices must be reprogrammed with mutual aid practices.
Updates from the Wet’suwet’en
Following are updates related to the continuing struggles of the Wet’suwet’en peoples related to the attempted construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline through their territories. One of the reasons I follow this work so closely is because this is a real time example of the Indigenous leadership we need now.
WET’SUWET’EN STRONG, ONE MONTH ON:
Coyote Camp Victory on the Gidimt’en Frontline
We’re celebrating over one month of Wet’suwet’en re-occupation on Cas Yikh yintah, where Coastal GasLink plans to destroy Wedzin Kwa. Our call out for allies was answered! We have boots on the ground and ongoing solidarity actions from our relatives all across so-called canada. This struggle is far from over but we will never give up. We need your support now! Join us at camp or organize where you are.
United, we will no longer endure genocide against our people!
Come to the land. yintahaccess.com/come-to-camp
Host a solidarity rally.
Pressure government, banks, and investors.
yintahaccess.com/take-action-1
Donate. http://go.rallyup.com/wetsuwetenstrong
Spread the word. #WetsuwetenStrong #AllOutForWedzinKwa #NoPipelineNovember
Gidimt’en Access Point
RBC IS KILLING ME
Oct 29th Global Day of Action
Wet’suwet’en Territories Cas Yikh Yintah
Gidimt’en Checkpoint is turning up the heat and putting pressure on the top five funders of the Coastal GasLink project, like RBC that continue to violate Wet’suwet’en Sovereignty and criminalize Wet’suwet’en title.
These projects spend millions of dollars on Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who harass and restrict Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and members from their territories. The RCMP’s violent raids with lethal overwatch and removing us from our own lands are in direct opposition to Indigenous constitutional rights and UNDRIP.
RBCIsKillingMe represents the irreversible destruction that this pipeline brings to the Lands, Salmon, Waters, Our People and all earths inhabitants. It is all of our responsibility to stand up and save the earth and our future generations.
RBC is the biggest funder of fossil fuels in Canada. The company has poured over $200 Billion into fossil fuel investments since the Paris climate agreement was signed. Let’s let these Investors know to Divest in projects that contribute to Climate Chaos and to STOP KILLING US!
On November 1st, the UN climate conference in Glasgow (COP26) will begin, with a focus on climate finance. This provides us with a crucial opportunity to pressure RBC into ceasing fossil fuel investment and respecting Indigenous rights.
For more info visit yintahaccess.com
#AllOutForWedzinKwa
LANDBACK Friends 