Make your views known by July 15
This message was posted today on the Ecosocialist International Network mailing list by the coordinator of the editing committee:
The discussion of the first draft of the Ecosocialist Manifesto has been going well, though there are probably more people who would still like to give comments and feedback. Please encourage those around you to send in their comments ASAP since the discussion period is coming to a close — we’ll extend the deadline til the 15th of July.
solidarite
Danielle
To submit your comments, join the egroup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EI-Network/.
You can read previous comments at the same location.
The Draft Manifesto can be downloaded at 2nd-Ecosocialist-Manifesto-DRAFT-en.pdf
Previous Climate and Capitalism articles on this subject:
- Comments on the Second Ecosocialist Manifesto Jun 15, 2008
- Discussion begins on Second Ecosocialist Manifesto Apr 23, 2008
- Interview with an Ecosocialist Oct 15, 2007
- Ecosocialist International Network (News Release) Oct 9, 2007
- Ecosocialists Launch International Network Oct 8, 2007
We are using the document for a discussion group on the tarsands and Alberta’s energy future. I think it will be interesting to see how people respond…especially in terms of how it relates to immediate goals and organizing strategy.
In the present world, the rights of the capitalists to make a profit are in direct conflict with our basic rights. In this sense, the capitalist system has become a threat to humanity.
Jefferson’s words, that human rights are unalienable, mean that these rights can never be superseded. At all points of conflict the rights of humanity to survive must supersede the right of the few to make a profit. The right to a safe environment is an unalienable human right!
Since environmental illness and destruction are a global concern, it requires all of humanity to act collectively, in our overall interests for our survival as a species, to correct the problem and to remove the obstacle of capitalism. It requires a society where humanity has social, economic, and political control over the entire environment. Such a society, a socialist society, is needed to ensure that all decisions affecting the environment are under the democratic control of humankind so that the production of goods will be done for the needs and survival of humanity instead of the production and the destruction of humanity and other species for profit.
With common ownership of the means of production, and common control and protection of all property and wealth, science and society will be in harmony with the ecosystem and humanity’s future.
With these goals we can begin to build a more effective environmental movement. As we continue to organize against capitalism and its destructive course, we can and will transform the world.
In the words of Margaret Mead, the famous anthropologist:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
I read your manifesto with interest hoping to find a viable alternative to the options we have. I was disappointed because the first 2 pages of woe did not lead on, as you promised, to announce a diffferent kind of society (p3).
You speak of democracy so if elected what would you do and in what sequence to solve climate change? You criticise the fundamental levers of the capitalist system but do not give a clear enough alternative for the man in the street to understand. You suggest that state limits for carbon applied by rationing is not your preferred method. Then you should say what is.
What about countries that are not democratic? Or are we talking world government?
Best wishes
Malcolm