Great essay! The author proposes that the most radical solution - the overthrow of global capitalism, the construction of a mostly publicly-owned and mostly planned eco-socialist economy based on global contraction and convergence, on substantial de-industrialization, on sharing, on much less work and much more play and on bottom-up democratic management - is, in fact, the only alternative to the collapse of civilization and ecological suicide. What Would We Have To Do To Save the Humans? If we want a sustainable economy, one that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, then we would have to do at least some or all of the following: Put the brakes on out-of-control growth in the global North - retrench or shut down unnecessary, resource-hogging, wasteful, polluting industries like fossil fuels, autos, aircraft and airlines, shipping, chemicals, bottled water, processed foods, unnecessary pharmaceuticals and so on. Abolish luxury-goods production, the fashions, jewelry, handbags, mansions, Bentleys, yachts, private jets etc. Abolish the manufacture of disposable, throw-away and repetitive consumption products. All these consume resources were running out of, resources that other people on the planet desperately need and that our children and theirs will need. Discontinue harmful industrial processes like industrial agriculture, industrial fishing, logging, mining and so on. Close many services - the banking industry, Wall Street, the credit card, retail, PR and advertising industries built to underwrite and promote all this overconsumption. Im sure most of the people working in these so-called industries would rather be doing something else, something useful, creative and interesting and personally rewarding with their lives. They deserve that chance. Abolish the military-surveillance-police state industrial complex, and all its manufactures because this is just a total waste whose only purpose is global domination, terrorism and destruction abroad and repression at home. We cant build decent societies anywhere when so much of social surplus is squandered on such waste. Reorganize, restructure, reprioritize production and build the products we do need to be as durable and shareable as possible. Steer investments into things society does need, like renewable energy, organic farming, public transportation, public water systems, ecological remediation, public health, quality schools and other currently unmet needs. Deglobalize trade to produce what can be produced locally; trade what cant be produced locally, to reduce transportation pollution and revive local producers. Equalize development the world over by shifting resources out of useless and harmful production in the North and into developing the South, building basic infrastructure, sanitation systems, public schools, health care, and so on. Devise a rational approach to eliminate or control waste and toxins as much as possible. Provide equivalent jobs for workers displaced by the retrenchment or closure of unnecessary or harmful industries, not just the unemployment line, not just because workers cannot support the industry we and they need to save ourselves.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 09:21:16 +0000
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