Several international studies have mentioned that in order to control greenhouse gas emissions it is essential to keep more than two-thirds of the oil, coal and gas reserves underground. But applying this measure conflicts with the powerful interests of corporations and states who own this capital and want to maximise their profits. Limiting greenhouse gas emissions will not be possible if society does not regain control of these reserves and curb exploitation. But transnational corporations and governments that control the reserves will fight to the death to preserve their capital. They will respond in whatever way they can, from utilising the media to unleashing the forces of repression. Their main strength, however, is our greatest weakness: the hyper-consumerist mentality that has permeated many sectors of humanity. It is not possible to keep more than two-thirds of fossil fuels underground if we do not leave behind the ‘nightmare’ of the American dream of a car for every family/person, and adopt real solutions. Part of the solution to climate change is to forge cities and countries with strong public transportation systems, which would make individual cars unnecessary. The true alternative is not solar-powered individual cars or other wrongly-called ‘renewable energies’ based on biomass, availability of land and other resources, but the reconfiguration of the public and individual space. The challenge is to regain control over industries, to ensure efficient transportation rather than fulfillment of shareholders’ ambitions to create profit.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 09:26:06 +0000
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