The problem is, we have so little time, and the idea that we can just leave this to market forces is reckless. Theres no other issue with such high stakes where youd say, Oh, lets see what the market can do to fix this for us. Theres a wide range of good policy options. The issue is, why arent we doing it? What are the barriers? For me, its a matter of articulating what the shift in values needs to be to get us from extractivism to a regenerative economy. The idea that the people who currently are suffering the most from our extractive economy should be first in line to gain the benefits—that really has to be embraced by the movement. So that it isnt just a switch from brown-energy billionaires to green-energy billionaires. Because it would be easy to end up with an extractive green economy that tramples human rights and concentrates resources. It could be a deeply unjust transition. I firmly believe that the environmental movement cannot handle this on its own. Were talking about remaking the underpinnings of the global economy. Its the kind of thing that requires the broadest possible coalition. And you will only build that coalition if the movement contains the promise of a better economy, of a fairer economy. We need to have a vision that says, This will help you feed your family. This will give you better jobs. This will give you a fairer society. Because a climate-only movement will never counter the power of the fossil fuel lobby. Thats what was exciting about the march in New York—you could catch a glimpse of what that merger of economic justice and climate action looks like and feels like. bit.ly/SierraKleinTCET
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:12:37 +0000
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