I read this as a thoughtful and well articulated introduction to the interconnectedness of the problem. it leaves me wondering, what does anti-capitalism look like? does this mean there's a different economic system we can shoot for now? I'm wondering what the formula is for being anti-capitalist, what are the calls to action? what changes happen now to move in that direction and what milestones let us know we're getting there? I think this piece needs a part 2 and part 3 and follow on interviews!
Hi Ole. I'm the author of the essay above. To be anti-capitalist means to fight for a different economic system, rather than just fighting for better laws/policies/regulations within capitalism itself. And in my view, socialism is the economic system we should be striving for (some people will say "eco-socialism" but I think that's redundant).
You can't have environmental sustainability without socialism (and vice versa). That’s because sustainability requires that we — human society — consciously regulate our own activities to stay within Earth’s planetary boundaries, such as the carbon cycle. And the only way to achieve that sort of collective self-regulation is to reorient human activities away from the ceaseless pursuit of infinite profit growth and towards meeting human needs in an equitable manner.
If you enjoy reading, some notable eco-socialist writers/thinkers include: John Bellamy Foster, Jason Hickel, and Kohei Saito.
BUT, what's most important right now is for us to be organizing with others in our communities, because change doesn't happen without building [organized] power at the grassroots, so that ordinary working people are able take control back from the corporations, CEOs, billionaires, and the politicians who support them.
I read this as a thoughtful and well articulated introduction to the interconnectedness of the problem. it leaves me wondering, what does anti-capitalism look like? does this mean there's a different economic system we can shoot for now? I'm wondering what the formula is for being anti-capitalist, what are the calls to action? what changes happen now to move in that direction and what milestones let us know we're getting there? I think this piece needs a part 2 and part 3 and follow on interviews!
Hi Ole. I'm the author of the essay above. To be anti-capitalist means to fight for a different economic system, rather than just fighting for better laws/policies/regulations within capitalism itself. And in my view, socialism is the economic system we should be striving for (some people will say "eco-socialism" but I think that's redundant).
You can't have environmental sustainability without socialism (and vice versa). That’s because sustainability requires that we — human society — consciously regulate our own activities to stay within Earth’s planetary boundaries, such as the carbon cycle. And the only way to achieve that sort of collective self-regulation is to reorient human activities away from the ceaseless pursuit of infinite profit growth and towards meeting human needs in an equitable manner.
You can read more here (by me), if you're curious: https://phillipmeintzer.medium.com/socialism-sustainability-faf8b21c888d
If you enjoy reading, some notable eco-socialist writers/thinkers include: John Bellamy Foster, Jason Hickel, and Kohei Saito.
BUT, what's most important right now is for us to be organizing with others in our communities, because change doesn't happen without building [organized] power at the grassroots, so that ordinary working people are able take control back from the corporations, CEOs, billionaires, and the politicians who support them.
thanks for the response and resources, I will be reading. feeling hopeful, what you've said resonates deeply.