1 MAY: DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION
Invasion of the climate snatchers!
Only one week to go!
Contacts, resources and ideas for action, and public actions.
Invasion of the climate snatchers!
Only one week to go!
Contacts, resources and ideas for action, and public actions.
May 1st, International Workers Day, has traditionally been a day to challenge the capitalist system and a celebration of solidarity and workers' struggle for a more just social system.
On this day we are calling on people to make the link between capitalism, economic growth, climate change and social struggle.
As climate change is starting to hit people around the world, a huge number of techno-fixes are forming a new economic sector: from biofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture and storage. Everywhere corporations are seeking the elusive elixir which allows us to continue business as usual. All this whilst our planet is burning and people are loosing their homes, their livelyhoods and their lives to climate chaos.
All of these technologies are a distraction from the root cause of climate change: an economic system based on endless economic growth not only at the cost of the environment we live in but also based on an exploitative social system.
Many of these technofixes are also directly counterproductive to stopping climate chaos and pose new threats to people's livelyhoods and the survival of the planet.
Agrofuels expansion is directly responsible for subsistence farmers being cleared of their land, food shortages and enormous price rises, whilst doing nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Nuclear power is heralded as a green fuel, but the environmental hazards of uranium extraction, radiation leaks during use and storage, the danger of melt-down and fatal applications in warfare are as dangerous as they have always been.
Scientists promise genetically engineered wonder plants to cope with climate changes, but people in third world countries have yet to see any benefits and fight against the patenting of the genes of traditionally used plants, whilst multinationals are lining their pockets.
The real solution to climate change must be a massive reduction in our consumption, the end to economic growth and a society based on equality and mutual aid.
Technofixes are not the answer to climate change - what we need is far reaching social and economic change!
If you need any info or support email us!
E:
mayday@daysofclimateaction.org.uk
TELL US WHAT YOU GET UP TO: email us or phone us on the day (phone no will be sent out in a few days) as soon as your action is underway so we can list it on the website include it in the national press release about the day, and the actions round-up the next day. Our actions are so much more powerful when they are seen on masse!
RESOURCES
Lots of information for action/explaining the issues has gone up on our website in the last few days. Check it out and pick your favourite climate red herring: from agrofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture and storage, genetic engineering to nanotechnology. Uncover these techno-fixes for what they are: a distraction from the root cause of climate change and a means to carry on the status quo of endless economic growth and the exploitation of people and planet.
http://daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html
There's also a local press release that you can adapt
http://daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday_actionresources.html
15 ideas for action for last-minute action planners!
http://www.risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday/resources
IDEAS FOR ACTION
There are many possibilities, from direct action, publicity stunts, talks and workshops to stalls. Whether you're in a group or whether there's just one or two of you, there are lots of things you can do to raise the vital issues.
Some ideas to get you started!
TAKE DIRECT ACTION. Occupy the offices of you local carbon offsetting company; Blockade your local biofuels refinery; Visit your local nuclear power station or take your cows and veg to a carbon trader and set up a real market ; Protest at your local University's GM and Nano-tech departments; Protest at your local Tesco petrol station against biofuels
SPREAD THE WORD. Hang banners in public places; Hold talks, workshops and film nights about the issues; Leaflet town on your chosen issue; Free Giveaway stalls; Produce and distribute local-based guide on alternatives to capitalism, co-ops, alternative economies, free shops etc. Co-organise events with union members to discuss the issues around employment and climate change; Write articles and letters for papers and websites.
For inspiration check out the write-up of the actions on Fossil Fools Day - Truly amazing!
http://www.fossilfoolsdayofaction.org/category/front-page/
PUBLIC ACTIONS
Although lots of people are keeping their plans under wraps, this public demos have been announced (If you know of a publicly announced action, let us know and we'll list it on the website.):
Critical Mass and Demo at Sizewell Nuclear Power Station Saturday 3rd May, meet at 12 noon at Saxmundham train station for a Critical Mass bike ride to Sizewell nuclear power station. If you don't have a bike, get to Saxmundham station anyway and we'll get you to the power station.
See also the Camp for Climate Action (www.climatecamp.org.uk), Network for Climate Action (www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk) and Climate Indymedia (www.climateimc.org)
http://www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html
On this day we are calling on people to make the link between capitalism, economic growth, climate change and social struggle.
As climate change is starting to hit people around the world, a huge number of techno-fixes are forming a new economic sector: from biofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture and storage. Everywhere corporations are seeking the elusive elixir which allows us to continue business as usual. All this whilst our planet is burning and people are loosing their homes, their livelyhoods and their lives to climate chaos.
All of these technologies are a distraction from the root cause of climate change: an economic system based on endless economic growth not only at the cost of the environment we live in but also based on an exploitative social system.
Many of these technofixes are also directly counterproductive to stopping climate chaos and pose new threats to people's livelyhoods and the survival of the planet.
Agrofuels expansion is directly responsible for subsistence farmers being cleared of their land, food shortages and enormous price rises, whilst doing nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Nuclear power is heralded as a green fuel, but the environmental hazards of uranium extraction, radiation leaks during use and storage, the danger of melt-down and fatal applications in warfare are as dangerous as they have always been.
Scientists promise genetically engineered wonder plants to cope with climate changes, but people in third world countries have yet to see any benefits and fight against the patenting of the genes of traditionally used plants, whilst multinationals are lining their pockets.
The real solution to climate change must be a massive reduction in our consumption, the end to economic growth and a society based on equality and mutual aid.
Technofixes are not the answer to climate change - what we need is far reaching social and economic change!
If you need any info or support email us!
E:
mayday@daysofclimateaction.org.uk TELL US WHAT YOU GET UP TO: email us or phone us on the day (phone no will be sent out in a few days) as soon as your action is underway so we can list it on the website include it in the national press release about the day, and the actions round-up the next day. Our actions are so much more powerful when they are seen on masse!
RESOURCES
Lots of information for action/explaining the issues has gone up on our website in the last few days. Check it out and pick your favourite climate red herring: from agrofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture and storage, genetic engineering to nanotechnology. Uncover these techno-fixes for what they are: a distraction from the root cause of climate change and a means to carry on the status quo of endless economic growth and the exploitation of people and planet.
http://daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html There's also a local press release that you can adapt
http://daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday_actionresources.html 15 ideas for action for last-minute action planners!
http://www.risingtide.org.uk/fossilfoolsday/resources IDEAS FOR ACTION
There are many possibilities, from direct action, publicity stunts, talks and workshops to stalls. Whether you're in a group or whether there's just one or two of you, there are lots of things you can do to raise the vital issues.
Some ideas to get you started!
TAKE DIRECT ACTION. Occupy the offices of you local carbon offsetting company; Blockade your local biofuels refinery; Visit your local nuclear power station or take your cows and veg to a carbon trader and set up a real market ; Protest at your local University's GM and Nano-tech departments; Protest at your local Tesco petrol station against biofuels
SPREAD THE WORD. Hang banners in public places; Hold talks, workshops and film nights about the issues; Leaflet town on your chosen issue; Free Giveaway stalls; Produce and distribute local-based guide on alternatives to capitalism, co-ops, alternative economies, free shops etc. Co-organise events with union members to discuss the issues around employment and climate change; Write articles and letters for papers and websites.
For inspiration check out the write-up of the actions on Fossil Fools Day - Truly amazing!
http://www.fossilfoolsdayofaction.org/category/front-page/ PUBLIC ACTIONS
Although lots of people are keeping their plans under wraps, this public demos have been announced (If you know of a publicly announced action, let us know and we'll list it on the website.):
Critical Mass and Demo at Sizewell Nuclear Power Station Saturday 3rd May, meet at 12 noon at Saxmundham train station for a Critical Mass bike ride to Sizewell nuclear power station. If you don't have a bike, get to Saxmundham station anyway and we'll get you to the power station.
See also the Camp for Climate Action (www.climatecamp.org.uk), Network for Climate Action (www.networkforclimateaction.org.uk) and Climate Indymedia (www.climateimc.org)
http://www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html 
e-mail:
Homepage:
Dear Bob
22.04.2008 22:58
You have hijacked mayday for your own liberal ends here, and it's left a lump in my throat.
no war but the class war
workers must unite to survive
22.04.2008 23:27
I doubt the people who organised these days meant any deliberate offense, they probably do just see their "fight against climate change" as more important than any other struggles.
I am a proud supporter of the climate camp process, but this one really does stick in the throat.
survivalist
re: re: you bunch of
22.04.2008 23:32
Peat
A wasted oppportunity
23.04.2008 06:32
I also think it is a wasted opportunity. It would have been very easy (well if the climate coalition was dominated by the middle classes), to use 1st May as a time to link the issues. Climate change is a class issue and should be part of an analysis of the any worker's movement.
However, calling a day of action on 1st May and ignoring traditional Mayday activities does grate, and I'd be interested to know why these issues haven't been connected.
More Criticism
Have you all forgotten?
23.04.2008 06:57
Quote
"May Day marks the end of the uncomfortable winter half of the year in the Northern hemisphere, and it has traditionally been an occasion for popular and often raucous celebrations, regardless of the locally prevalent political or religious establishment."
Now I wonder why you would wish to stifle anti-establishment celebrations.
Itsme
it is a hijack
23.04.2008 07:37
(A) Sab
submit your action to a phone number???
23.04.2008 10:12
squirrello
take a closer look
23.04.2008 11:26
in regards to the phone number to say what actions you get up to, it says to call either once your action is underway on the day or after the action has happened.
no one would suggest you call to say what you are doing beforehand (unless they were dodgy, as you said)
reader
Environmental struggle is a social struggle too. Missing details though!
23.04.2008 11:26
"May 1st, international workers day, has traditionally been a day to challenge the capitalist system and a celebration of solidarity and workers' struggle for a more just social system.
On this day we are calling on people to make the link between capitalism, economic growth, climate change and social struggle."
You don't get that impression from the main article posted above, which is a real shame, as it seems like a rather crucial detail to me, and what most of the annoyances posted above are on about. It's mentioned on the Days Of Climate Action website, so why not here too, and avoid the misunderstanding!?
I'm undecided as to what my own participation on May 1st will be, but it seems that the purpose of this day of action is to highlight and challenge the link between capitalism, climate change and social struggle.
Environmental struggle IS a class issue every bit as much as workers struggle is.
So let's see some solidarity please between highly related issues, not finger pointing - whatever your "struggle of preference" might be.
(Though I really think whoever posted this should have used some of the wording from their own website above, since it's much clearer about what's being called for and would have avoided the feeling of split purposes. D'oh!)
A painted person in Notts
Some crucial information missing from this piece
23.04.2008 12:59
From:
"May 1st, international workers day, has traditionally been a day to challenge the capitalist system and a celebration of solidarity and workers' struggle for a more just social system.
On this day we are calling on people to make the link between capitalism, economic growth, climate change and social struggle.
As climate change is starting to hit people around the world, a huge number of techno-fixes are forming a new economic sector: from biofuels to nuclear power, carbon-trading to hydrogen fuel cells, carbon capture and storage. Everywhere corporations are seeking the elusive elixir which allows us to continue business as usual. All this whilst our planet is burning and people are loosing their homes, their livelyhoods and their lives to climate chaos.
All of these technologies are a distraction from the root cause of climate change: an economic system based on endless economic growth not only at the cost of the environment we live in but also based on an exploitative social system.
Many of these technofixes are also directly counterproductive to stopping climate chaos and pose new threats to people's livelyhoods and the survival of the planet.
Agrofuels expansion is direcly responsible for subsistence farmers being cleared of their land, food shortages and enormous price rises, whilst doing nothing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Nuclear power is heralded as a green fuel, but the environmental hazards of uranium extraction, radiation leaks during use and storage, the danger of melt-down and fatal applications in warfare are as dangerous as they have always been.
Scientists promise genetically engineered wonder plants to cope with climate changes, but people in third world countries have yet to see any benefits and fight against the patenting of the genes of traditionally used plants, whilst multinationals are lining their pockets.
The real solution to climate change must be a massive reduction in our consumption, the end to economic growth and a society based on equality and mutual aid.
Technofixes are not the answer to climate change - what we need is far reaching social and economic change!"
Further Clarification
Homepage:
http://www.daysofclimateaction.org.uk/mayday.html
Why
23.04.2008 13:55
miserablist
further clarification
23.04.2008 15:21
Workers climate action are upcoming group worth checking. Environmentalism & buying local has always been a working class issue supported by cooperatives. In 1970's australia subbies & Teamsters linked with environmentalists & locals to defend parks, IWW& Earth first linked with loggers against mass clearcutting & more & health & safety in 1990's etcetc.
Hope actions go well, dont we need more cooperatives & work on transition towns, thats where the real action needs to be, Mayday at brewhouse & events after a excelleny chance to do this.
PLease dont moan2 much, I dont know who put this up, but we all have to learn, they should have read up more before doing this, but I bet they probably havent because they are working too hard as subbies or other part time jobs & upcoming cooperatives. It seems some paid union officials really dont understand what work is sometimes.
green syndicalist
Apologies and clarification
24.04.2008 09:08
Secondly the Day of Action is in no way meant to detract from May Day and it's history, the importance of fighting for workers' rights and against the capitalist system. What we are saying is that capitalism with its ruthless focus on economic growth based on the exploitation of workers and the natural resources is directly causing climate chaos. This is impacting worst on the poorest around the world and it is vital that we make it clear that we can only avert disastrous climate change if we dismantle the growth economy/capitalism. Just to make it clear: we are NOT promoting green capitalism but its abolition!
Maybe climate chaos feels irrelevant to workers' struggle in this country at the moment, but it certainly is not a side issue for workers in the first world.
People in Mexico, India, Bangladesh are starving right this minute because climate change has diminished harvests and a lot of what's left is used to make biofuels so we in the Western world can carry on driving our cars and feel good about it. There is massive social unrest, hundreds of thousands of people marching, protesting and taking direct action in South America and Asia.
Low-paid workers in the UK are also starting to feel the effects of this: I can see it in my own wallet - food prices have gone up massively over the past few months, and I'm now struggling to afford healthy organically grown food. Yes, rights at work are important, but so is good food on the table and a decent environment to live in.
The response to the climate crisis from Government and industry is to pretend that we can just make a few adjustments to the growth economy, make capitalism a bit greener and then carry on business as usual. This isn't going to work. What we need to do is get rid of capitalism, re-organise society on the basis of mutual aid, a fair distribution of resources and wealth and respect for nature.
Biofuels, new nuclear power stations, carbon-capture, genetic engineering, carbon-trading, carbon-offsets: these are all a smoke-screen to stop us from tackling the root causes of climate change: economic growth, mindless consumerism and a society based on exploitation.
Capitalism and climate chaos are inextricably linked. Join us in fighting them
In solidarity with workers around the world.
Overworked worker
original poster
to original poster
24.04.2008 11:30
K