Dear Camp for Climate Action

make the middle class history | 14.07.2008 11:11 | Climate Camp 2008

Firstly thank you for contacting me. I'm hopping mad about what I've heard, but I may not have been told the whole story. I can tell you too the mining community whats left of us feel utterly betrayed by rumours about you swinging all your efforts to close down what remains of the coal
industry. There are debates about counter-demonstrations etc and press statements from the power workers and miners. So its vital we do not take up cudgels over this unless and until and at least that we know where each
other stand. I was a matter of interest with the National General secretary of the NUM and the Yorkshire Area Leadership last weekend and they are spitting feathers about the Drax demonstration. The slogans on the demonstration and the statements made to the press by the protestsrs
demonstrated no concern for the miners, railway workers or power workers.

There was no consultation with us, no debate with us, no seeing what we wanted or how we see the world or how we can see if there is anything is common. 'Leave It In The Ground' was the banner which was unfurled at Drax, 'it' being the coal, and the miners ? where do we leave them ? that
bit wasn't answered. We know where John Major and Maggie Thatcher and Harold Wilson left us, on the dung heap, and most of us are still there.

Our own demands would be two fold, firstly we want to see the opening of
'clean coal technology stations'. Yes the technology exists and had done
since the 50s but nobody was interested in applying it. There are at least
two methods, but the latest one is carbon capture, thats not the end of
the story but here isn't the place to elaborate. Enough to say its not a
con, it does produce massive savings in CO2 emissions, plus the bi product
of the Hatfield Main system is hydrogen and energy conservation. Which are
added bonuses on the carbon capture.

Secondly we want to see international ('fair trade' if you like )
standards applied to all imported coal and a level playing field in terms
of health and safety, conditions, hours and union recognition . Countries
with mass slaughter in the collieries should not be allowed to dump coal
here at the expense of workers in their countries and unemployment for
miners here.

65 million Tonnes of coal is burned in Britain each year only about 18
million of it is mined here, despite the fact that British coal is the
cheapest deep mined coal in the world. It is brought here in part because
rather than fit wipers and efficient filters to all power stations, they
import coal which produces less sulphur and ash and carbon when burned.
Instead they burn the miners at source.

There is about 500 years of coal in Britain, it can provide a breathing
space, to develop renewable sources, certainly solar, yes tidal, though
not destructive wind estates which are laying siege to the bits of free
land and crags and moorland we have left.

The governments main plan is and always been to make Britain Nuclear
dependant. That is why they closed down the mines in the first place.
Climate Camp must be very careful not to cross on the wrong side of the
barricade on this issue. Not to be used to promote Nuclear energy by
making the biggest focus coal .

The spokesperson at Drax this month said there was NO PLACE for coal in
Britain's energy supply ! Thats fairly final. The impact of that
statement, coming as it does with a middle class voice and total
indifference to the situation in the coal communities, is unlikely to
strike any cords this side of the tracks.

I understand you intend to shut down Kingsnorth Power Station in August. I
don't know this station in particular but I was informed this was a
station which was using clean coal technology ? Is that not right ?
whether it is or not we have to ask why coal ?.

Coal is not the biggest producer of CO2 its about the fourth and thats
with unfettered uncontrolled emissions from the third world in particular.
It could be massively reduced by demanding all coal which comes here meets
minimum standards of health and safety and union rights. That the
exporting countries themselves adopt clean coal technologies. Such a
tighter focus would be entirely more credible and principled than simply
saying 'close down all coal power stations, don't build new ones, and
exterminate the last of the miners and their communities'.

I cant say I'm keen on entering the lions den of the Climate Camp as a
former miners leader and life long coal miner. I'm tempted to say I think
we speak differant languages. However I shall pencil this is my calender
and see if I can attend along with any of the NUM leadership in order that
we can put our point view across and hopefully get you to adopt a more
balanced approach to the question of power generation and working class
expectations and demands.

You have my permission to put this letter on the website.

The World For The Workers

David Douglass
NUM

David Douglass

Why this letter was originally hidden

12.07.2008 22:13
When this letter was first posted to this site, together with the reply, as a comment, it was promoted.

An email was then sent to Indymedia saying that it was "definatley not meant for public consumption" and asking that it be removed, so it was hidden.

The emails about this are here:

http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/imc-uk-moderation/2008-June/0630-s3.html

http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/imc-uk-moderation/2008-June/0630-lc.html

IMC Admin

more

http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/07/403441.html?c=on#comments

make the middle class history
e-mail: worldwarfreeatriseupdotnet
Homepage: http://pretentiousartist.com

Additions

Oz energy union call for just transition away from fossil fuels

16.07.2008 12:05

Full press release is here:

http://www.amwu.org.au/read-article/news-detail/141/Workers-will-need-suppoort-in-climate-change/

AMWU - Australian Manufacturing Workers Union - is one of the largest in Australia and represents workers in the energy industry (including, I believe, those engaged in extracting fossil fuels). Through the resolution they have echoed widespread concern about the impact of climate change on workers, and picked up the language of a 'just transistion' for workers away from fossil fuels to more sustainable industries.

From the press release
"AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver said relying on market mechanisms alone to tackle climate change would threaten jobs. "

Below is the text of the resolution passed by the AMWU

AMWU Climate Change Resolution

Here is the final Climate Change resolution as endorsed by the AMWU
State Council.
STATE CONFERENCE AGENDA ITEM - CLIMATE CHANGE

'The AMWU recognises that the most serious issue facing humanity is the issue of climate change as a result of global warming. If urgent action is taken within the next 10 years, it may be possible to prevent runaway climate change from occurring. Runaway climate change is the point at which global warming is irreversible. Global warming is a catastrophe for the entire planet. With respect to humanity, the AMWU recognises that it will be working class people who will suffer most. While the previous Howard government refused to set targets for Lowering greenhouse gas emissions, the current Rudd Labor government's targets are so low that they would not prevent runaway climate change from occurring. By treating the issue of climate change as an economic problem rather than an environmental emergency, the Rudd government is unlikely to adopt the changes that are urgently required unless pressure is applied.

The AMWU is concerned that many of the solutions being put forward by governments, corporations and sections of the environment movement are ones which will be ineffective in stopping climate change but which will shift the cost of action against global warming from big business to working class people.

For these reasons, the AMWU pledges to involve itself in the campaign to stop global warming.

The AMWU believes that the big polluting corporations which are Responsible for global warming should be responsible for paying the costs of fixing the problem. Working class people are not responsible for the problem. For this reason, the AMWU is opposed to
measures such as increasing energy bills. Particularly those of low income house holders.

The AMWU will support initiatives which provide demonstrable net benefit (in moving from unsustainable to sustainable practices). It notes the claimed potential of such technologies as 'clean coal' and carbon capture and storage. Carbon capture and storage is an experimental technology, not proven anywhere on a
commercial scale.

The AMWU is sceptical about the potential of CCS to reduce emissions in the next 20 years as scientists say we must. It retains an open mind on these, and will support them if their
viability can be proven and they do not impose unreasonable/any costs on current and future generations. In the meantime, any research and development initiatives should be predominately funded by private industry and openly monitored / audited by the relevant government body and stakeholders.

The AMWU is sceptical about carbon trading as an effective mechanism to address climate change because the market, without strong intervention by governments around the globe, will not reduce emissions.

Conference reaffirms its opposition to Nuclear power generation.

The AMWU calls on the government to commit to a radical reduction of greenhouse gases. This policy needs a focus on energy and water conservation by industry.

A centrepiece of this requires the government directing resources for climate change into
developing and sustaining a domestic manufacturing industry producing renewable energy systems. This industry must be located in communities most effected by a shift to renewable energy generation

The AMWU commits to campaigning for members in the energy industry not to be disadvantaged. It calls on the government to guarantee and provide all these workers with the appropriate additional training and skills and maintaining as a minimum their current pay and industry conditions in any replacement low or zero carbon generation facilities.

The AMWU recognises that for runaway climate change to be prevented, a mass movement along the lines of the Your Rights at Work campaign is required.

The union movement has an important role to play to help develop such a movement.

As a first step, the AMWU needs to:
* invite guest speakers on the issue of climate change to address members' meetings,
* consider clauses in EBAs for factories & worksites to take measures to
reduce their greenhouse gas contribution,
* involve itself in the climate change movement,
* develop a training program for delegates around Climate Change,
* regional areas affected by AMWU policy need to be fully consulted and
involved in development of AMWU Policies that may effect the region.'

unnecessary

Comments

Hide the following 2 comments

Dave Douglass

14.07.2008 17:07

Sadly, Mr Douglass is well known in various circles for having a very anti-green stance, above and beyond the facts staring the world in the face. Attempts were made to engage with him, however, as can be seen from the tone of the above letter that he is ready to shoot from the hips rather than actually take time to find out the facts, including it seems publishing personal correspondance without asking permission.

It is not clear whether he speaks for the full NUM, or if he is signing this letter to indicate broader support than what he actually has.

The reality is that the Climate Camp is making space for debates to take place on this issue, and has been clear in its press that there needs to be a "Just Transistion", which incorporates solidarity with workers, including miners.

There are problems as the needs of workers are balanced against the needs of the environment, but it is vital that all parties get together and discuss it out, put their various view points across and find common ground and solutions.

Personally, the actions of Mr Douglass do not inspire confidence that he will do this; however, the camp is open to anyone who wants to come down and find out more and to discuss these issues face to face in a peaceful forum. The Camp for Climate Action does not take particular stances on issues in order that theses discussions can take place in a frank manner. The offer is there, and I know that space has been put aside for the debates to take place.

In solidarity with the Earth, and the workers who live on it.

ps

I write as just one individual involved in the Climate Camp, and not do not represent the camp as a whole.

unnecessary

tis'obvious

14.07.2008 18:02

"Why this letter was originally hidden"

Clearly if you had read the links to the emails you included in your post, you'd have seen that they were hidden on the grounds that you had published 'personal communications', and one of the authors objected to it.

What bit of that do you not get?

no vanguards