[WSF-Discuss] [Fwd: State, Revolution and Global Social Emancipation]

[kolya abramsky]

Hi, this discussion peter has started about climate, energy , revolution and global social emancipation (and all that malarky...) and the discussion between george monbiot and ewa jasciewiz ties in closely with what i am working on at the moment.

I am working on the conflicts and struggles involved in a transition to renewable energy and whether the process takes place under capitalist relations or the construction of non-captalist ones.

I have written a number of lengthy articles on this topic, including one calling for close convergence between certain sectors amongst those pushing for renewable energy and the so-called "global justice/anti-globalization/anti-capitalist movements.", and another on energy and labor in the world-economy.  if someone would like to see either of them, please let me know off list. I am also in the process of bringing out an issue of the online journal The Commoner (commoner.org.uk) on energy, accumulation and social reproduction. hopefully it will be finished next month, and when it is i will send an announcement to this list. A third big project i am working on is a large edited volume about the same topics which will be ready in october next year, in the run up to the Copenhagen treaty to replace Kyoto. both these projects will contain an article by ewa jasciewiz about the iraqi oil workers' struggle for control and ownership of Iraqi oil. Again, if
 someone wants information about this, please let me know off list.

Meanwhile I would like to ask some questions. Below is is a list of points that I have proposed as part of a discussion on political perspectives for the mobilizations that will take place next year around the COP 15.So far there has not been any discussion of the points on teh email list. 

In particular, there is one point that I consider important, which is point 6. This is topic that i have not seen much discussion of but I consider as very important. However, i have disucsseed it with some friends who work within the renewable energy sector and they have expressed some disagreement. I would be very interested to know any thoughts which any of you may have on this. I am currently writing an article on this topic and would love to have different inputs into the question before finishing the article.

as usual peter, thanks for starting an interesting and controversial discussion.

thanks
kolya
++++++++


1)	Attempt to close down summit, not lobby it.
2)	Attempt to delegitimise Kyoto process rather than appeal to reform or improve it just so that it can continue in a new form.
3)	Best solution to climate change is rapid transition to 100% renewable energy
4)	Access to energy is a human right, not a privilege. As such it should be free or low cost. 
5)	Energy resources, infrastructures and technologies should be based on common/public ownership as a not-for-profit sector that is outside of the world market, regardless of which energy sources. 
6)	A rapid transition away from fossil fuels  will require common ownership of fossil fuels themselves, and associated infrastructures and technologies. (Note: I am currently writing an article on this theme).
7)	Workers within the fossil fuel and nuclear energy sectors can play an important part in assuring a “just transition” away from these energy sources.
8)	Capital has to pay the cost of rising petrol prices, not ordinary people. 
9)	“Peak Oil” will not be allowed to become an excuse for imposed austerity in the face of high profits from oil (and other energy) multinationals. 
10)	Similarly, climate change must not become a justification for coercive policies that limit freedom of movement and association.
11)	Support for the initiative to create an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), (http://irena.org/ )and view it as by far the most progressive item on the “established” international agenda, but are also questioning its potential, since it is being established within the framework of the world market and capitalist relations. 
12)	A long term solution to the current energy and climate crisis is not possible within the framework of capitalist social relations.


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