The Ecosocialist Resources column is published at irregular intervals. It features links to new articles, reports, talks and videos that are relevant to Climate & Capitalism’s mission and goals.
Inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement, or that we agree with everything (or even anything!) the item says.
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- Climate inaction will kill 5 million people, mostly children, by 2020Report released in Cancun today details a large-scale crisis with some impacts increasing by over 300% globally by 2030. From Climate Vulnerability 2010: The State of the Climate Crisis Climate vulnerability by the numbers NEARLY 1 MILLION climate change driven deaths estimated every single year from 2030 if action is not taken SOME 5 MILLION climate deaths estimated over ...---READ-->>
- Is 'overconsumption' behind the environmental crisis?Book Review. ‘Treading Softly’ is important book , but it fails to understand the structural problems of capitalism that have brought us to economic and ecological crisis Thomas Princen. Treading Softly: Paths to Ecological Order. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2010. Reviewed by Elaine Graham-Leigh from Counterfire Thomas Princen is a major proponent of the ‘sufficiency strategy’ strand of green thinking – ...---READ-->>
- Video: Canada Wins 3 Fossil AwardsCanada is off to an impressive start at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun, if what you’re measuring is climate inaction and environmental embarrassment. by Emma Pullman from De-Smog Blog, November 30, 2010 Today, at the first set of the Fossil of the Day awards, Canada took home not one, or two, but all three ...---READ-->>
- Cancún Eyewitness #3: Protests and WorkshopsYoung NGO protests aim to shame the delegates; a scientist at Klimaforum calls for an end to capitalism by Javier Sethness The three points deemed to be central to the success of the sixteenth Conference of Parties (COP-16) currently being held in Cancún—efforts to prolong the Kyoto Protocol, finance climate-adaptation measures in Southern countries, and codify a ...---READ-->>
- Bolivia: Cancún must not be Can't-cúnAgainst these powerful interests, Bolivia believes the only way forward for saving the Earth and its people is mass popular pressure by Pablo Solon, Bolivian ambassador to the UN Guardian, November 30, 2010 As climate talks start this week in Cancún, the common refrain that pervades the media and some negotiators is of “low expectations.” I wonder whose ...---READ-->>
- Cancún Eyewitness #2: Pessimism and KlimaforumThere is a widespread lack of confidence that Cancún will produce any agreement at all by Javier Sethness The second day of the sixteenth Conference of Parties (COP-16) summit in Cancún follows much the same as the first, a day that saw Mexican President Felipe Calderón assert in remarks before the delegates assembled in Moon Palace—a highly ...---READ-->>
- The Climate Inaction ConferenceMost heads of state aren’t even bothering to show up in Cancún. Ordinary people must step onto the stage of history to organize to force the change that we want to see and that is so urgently needed. by Chris Williams “If Cancún delivers nothing, or not much, then the UN process is in danger.” So said Connie Hedegaard, the ...---READ-->>
- Cancun Eyewitness #1: Checkpoints and ExhibitsClimate and Capitalism will publish regular reports from the climate change meetings in Cancun, Mexico by Javier Sethness Entering the city of Cancún—site of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change’s sixteenth Conference of Parties (COP-16), which began today—one is struck immediately by the number of areas de revisión—checkpoints, effectively—maintained by the Mexican police, with the support ...---READ-->>
- Capitalism is a doomsday machineVideo: Derek Wall of the Green Left speaking at the Coalition of Resistance conference in London, November 27 ——————---READ-->>
- Eyewitness Report: Tar sands tailings are poisoning muskeg and First Nations community“Here we were, standing on traplines and hunting trails that remain in use by members of the Fort McKay First Nation, as the toxic waste covered many hectares with an oily ooze.” by Ben Powless From Rabble.ca, November 26, 2010. Thanks to Ben Powless for permission to repost. Photos by Ben Powless The trip out to the tar sands tailings ...---READ-->>
- How the Alberta tar sands workIt takes 185 gallons of water, 2 tons of soil, 700-1200 cubic feet of natural gas and 170 pounds of greenhouse gases to make one barrel of crude … ??? Please click! Hat tip to Circle of Blue Water News for this excellent infographic---READ-->>
- Climate scientists: One billion people will lose their homesIf drastic action to cut emissions isn’t taken soon, a billion people will lose their homes and three billion will lose access to clean water by Robin McKie Guardian, November 28, 2010 Devastating changes to sea levels, rainfall, water supplies, weather systems and crop yields are increasingly likely before the end of the century, scientists will warn tomorrow. A ...---READ-->>
- Video: The Rights of PachamamaAn emotional and inspiring video that was created as a joint project between five indigenous communities in Peru with the message: ‘We wish from out hearts that these rights we are proposing will be added to and that people across the world recover their harmony with our Mother Earth.’ Thanks to Intercontinental Cry for drawing our ...---READ-->>
- UN: Emission Promises Won't Stop Dangerous Climate ChangeEven if all the promises are kept — and that’s unlikely— global warming will pass the danger threshhold in this century by Ian Angus A report issued today by the United Nations Environment Program says the world is heading for dangerous climate change — and the emissions reductions promised by 85 countries are far too weak to ...---READ-->>
- European Assembly for Climate Justice, Nov. 26-29Program details, practical information, and venues are now available. Join us in Brussels for 4 days of debate, discussion, planning, films, cultural events, and action. Where/When Friday 26th: Critical Mass bike ride, followed by social event. Saturday 27th: Workshops, plenary and conference from 9:00 until 22:00. Sunday 28th: Plenary and workshops to discuss strategies for the movement, and plan ...---READ-->>
- Most Canadians Support Climate Justice NowPoll finds strong support across Canada for the Cochabamba Agenda … but the government is ignoring public opinion and supporting environmental destruction. Only mass action for climate justice can win the changes that are urgently needed now Adapted from the Council of Canadians website An authoritative poll conducted between October 27 and November 1 found: 87% of Canadians ...---READ-->>
- Cancun: The Battle Lines are DrawnSuccess at Cancun will depend on how loudly the voices for climate justice are heard and the contribution that makes to arousing wider resistance by Simon Butler Green Left Weekly, November 22, 2010 If at first you don’t succeed, redefine success. This phrase has become the unofficial motto of this year’s United Nations climate conference in Cancun, ...---READ-->>
- G20 pushes business as usual, Small farmers demand system changeFailed institutions that have impoverished people the world over are being promoted as the solution to the current crisis La Via Campesina News release Seoul, November 18, 2010 The G20 just concluded its Summit in Seoul, Korea where they professed to discuss solutions to the global financial crisis. Claiming to be the forum for global economic governance, these ...---READ-->>
- UN warns: Food prices soar in 2010, higher in 2011International food import bills could pass the one trillion dollar mark in 2010 with prices of most commodities up sharply In the latest edition of its Food Outlook report, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned the international community to prepare for harder times ahead unless production of major food crops increases significantly in ...---READ-->>
- Canadian group scapegoats immigrants for environmental degradationNew anti-immigration “center” has strong ties to the ruling Conservative Party by Cameron Fenton Reposted, with permission, from The Dominion, November 17, 2010. Related C&C article: The greening of hate, Canadian-style MONTREAL—The Centre for Immigration Policy Reform (CIPR), a recently launched immigration reform lobby group based in Ottawa, is using environmental arguments and “green” rhetoric to push for more ...---READ-->>