“Climate politics is close to breaking point. We cannot go on allowing them to weaponise action on climate change to feign concern for the impacts of policy on British people, or globally.”
Sam Mason, Climate Justice Coalition, writes ahead of the COP28 Global Day of Action and national march for Palestine on 9th December
There is no end in sight. These are the words of the World Meteorological Organisation who in publishing their provisional report on the State of the Global Climate at the start of the COP28 climate talks, confirmed that 2023 has “shattered” climate records. Set to be the warmest on record, greenhouse gas emissions and sea levels continue to rise, while Antarctic Sea ice is at a record low. We face a world of more extreme weather and what was once a called ‘adverse’ weather is now the new normal.
Devastation caused by floods, droughts, extreme heat, melting ice caps and so on are now regular news headlines. Even as the climate talks are underway, Tanzania is facing a rising death toll due to heavy rain and flooding. This followed an unprecedented drought across East Africa with downpours elsewhere having lefts 100’s dead and displaced such as in Somalia.
The COP, hosted by the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE), is reaching the midway point. We could be forgiven to think that against this backdrop, world leaders and their bag carriers are locked up in earnest discussions on reaching a binding global agreement to end fossil fuels and avert the unfolding crisis.
No, instead the only urgent topic in the conference centre seems to be how to keep propping up fossil fuels, and the obscene corporate profits along with them. The Kick Big Polluters Out coalition have estimated that a record 2,445 fossil fuel lobbyists are attending the COP. Perhaps no surprise following revelations that COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber planned to use the climate talks to make oil and gas deals. As Chief Executive of the UAE state oil company, the ‘greenwash’ that this role is not in conflict with his COP role has been rubbed off. Sultan Al Jaber has been shown to be arguably more a climate denier with further revelations showing him claim there is “no science” behind the need to phase out fossil fuels and limiting global heating.
But he should not be the only one singled out. The UK sent three unelected representatives in the form of the King, Rishi Sunak and ‘hug a husky’ David Cameron to attend world leaders day. Arriving by (high emitting) private jets they came, at least for the Tory duo, recommitted to their retreat on climate policies by promising to do “it” in a more “pragmatic way, which doesn’t burden working people”.
Rishi is right however on one thing. Climate politics is close to breaking point. We cannot go on allowing them to weaponise action on climate change to feign concern for the impacts of policy on British people, or globally. In the face of a cost-of-living crisis including high energy bills, food, housing, and transport costs, a health and care crisis, and public services at breaking point, we know that measures to tackle the climate crisis go hand in hand with adressing these.
We also know that a transition is underway but it’s not one being led by workers and trade unions, as the corporations looks to shape it in their interests and repeat the devastating deindustrialisation of the 1980’s and 90’s. As part of our Climate Justice Coalition (CJC) demands, the CJC trade union caucus is calling for an equitable and just transition from
a capitalist and extractivist economic system.
Another demand is for a full and immediate ceasefire in Palestine, an end to the blockade and occupation, and the end to apartheid and colonialism. Justice for Palestine and climate justice is inextricably linked, as is an end to colonialism and an emerging new green colonialism.
For this reason, as part of the COP28 Global Day of action, we are also supporting the National Demonstration for Palestine. If in London, we will first meet for a rally outside BP and BAE systems, and then go on to join the demonstration for Palestine.
There must be an end in sight for the climate crisis and suffering of the Palestinian people. One way to help towards this, is by joining the demonstrations on Saturday 9th December, and showing the strength and support of the labour movement for climate justice, a full ceasefire, and peace.
- Take part in the #NowWeRise – Saturday, 9 December Day of Action here.
- Take part in the National March for Palestine – Saturday, 9 December – Full Ceasefire Now here.
- Sam Mason is the coordinator of the Climate Justice Coalition trade union caucus. You can follow the Climate Justice Coalition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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