Failure and Victory in Copenhagen (includes audio interview)

For many of us coming back from Copenhagen full of hope and energy, it was strange to see that many people who followed the summit from afar see what happened there as catastrophic.. But it has been clear for some time that « at best » they were only going to impose their false (but highlyl profitable) solutions. Clear headed political analysts, like leading scientists such as James Hansen, were already saying  that No Deal would be better than a Bad Deal. Finally the deal was so bad that it was impossible to impose (the so-called Copenhagen Accord was not agreed by all parties).

Appalled by our rulers’ greed and total irresponsibility, many don’t realise that this tragic farce – and the unified action of different grassroots networks – has opened a new  political space where real solutions have a chance. As I write, Evo Morales’s announcement of an alternative climate summit of social movements arrives. The space is widening. As one slogan put it « Who’s summit ? Our summit ! »

Related Audio file: After many battles in Copenhagen, where does the climate justice movement go from here.

Echec et victoire à Copenhague (avec audio)

Pour nous, qui sont revenus de Copenhagen pleins d’espoir et d’énergie, c’était étrange de se rendre compte que beaucoup de ceux et celles qui ont suivi l’affaire de loin l’on vécu comme une catastrophe. Pourtant, c’était évident depuis un moment qu’il y aurait « au mieux » un accord sur de fausses (quoique très profitables) solutions. Les analystes critiques, comme des savants de pointe comme James Hansen, disaient déjà que No Deal serait mieux que leur Bad Deal. Finalement le deal proposé était si mauvais qu’il était impossible de l’imposer (le soi-disant Accord de Copenhague n’a pas été accepté par toutes les parties).

Dégoûtés par la cupidité et irresponsabilité totale des puissants, beaucoup ne se rendent pas compte que cette farce tragique – et l’action unitaire de différents réseaux de base – a ouvert un nouvel espace politique dans lequel de vraies solutions ont une chance. Alors que j’écris, arrive l’invitation de Evo Morales à un sommet mondial des mouvements sociaux sur le changement climatique. L’espace grandit. Comme disait un des slogans à Copenhague « Who’s summit ? Our summit ! »

Related Audio file: After many battles in Copenhagen, where does the climate justice movement go from here.

Daves Diary – SYSTEM CHANGE NOT CLIMATE CHANGE – the journey from WTO @ Geneva to COP15 @ Copenhagen

There are some things that happen that make us good to be alive, even in these times of fear and greed. The Trade to Climate Caravan is one of those moments. People have come from around the world from the worst of environmental and social situations to demand and claim a better world save our planet from those that wish to profit out of the death of the biosphere.

We have learned about and shared important struggles that shine a light on our collective dignity. We make tell each other about not only of our resistance but of our hopes and movements and dreams of a better place.

This is more than a friendship but borne of political solidarity, labour and land ownership, climate justice, the exploitation of the south by the north, even knowing that you can find pockets of the south in the north and the north in the south. It is a world out of balance where absurdity passes for logic and the cry of humanity and mother earth is ignored at best, and people are shot and disappear at worst.

We have invitations and choices to fight for our humanity and planet in these times. There is no middle ground. We will defy them. We will build our links and resistance and polish them with deep respect and commitment to our diversity and our common bonds.