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Capitalism Is Killing Us, But You Won't Hear a Whisper of It at the Democratic Convention
Out of some sort of atavistic hope, I watched the Democratic Party convention searching for some glimmer of rational wisdom. How stupid of me! I ought to know by now that the soul of democracy is made out of marshmallow fluff.
Aug 22, 2024
Neither politicians (across the continuum) nor corporate media pundits engage in meaningful public discourse on climate and the environment. They choose not to acknowledge the scope of the threat or to sincerely analyze real means of addressing the gathering onslaught. The bogus dialogue on climate is all smoke and mirrors, feeding the masses fatuous illusions—promising future technological triumphs—and wielding uncertainty as a means to disarm public ire. Our popular discussions about the environment are almost never about capitalism precisely because (in the real world, as opposed to the world of mass fantasy) it is always and obviously about capitalism.
The wealth of information on climate available at the click of a computer may be staggering, but only a few stilted, corporate approved narratives leak into the popular climate conversations featured in political debates or commercial media. Our climate stories have been mutilated, distorted or subtly degraded by the money and influence of those whose profits come from environmental destruction.
The major political parties avoid an honest evaluation of our environmental crises in the manner of a vampire cringing before a clove of garlic. Don't hold your breath waiting for Kohei Saito or Jason Hickel to be interviewed on CNN or Fox News. Extinction Rebellion (XR) has demanded that governments tell the truth about climate overheating, but XR might as well insist that the cow jump over the moon. If the U.S. government were to voice even a timidly honest approximation of our environmental realities it would open the floodgates of its own complicity. Here are some truths that governments will never tell:
1) There is no adequate climate mitigation currently in practice anywhere on earth, and no plan to initiate any. Fossil fuels are being extracted and burned at all-time highs with no adequate regulation.
2) The sixth extinction is well underway, with species die offs now proceeding at a velocity unprecedented in geological history. (The Chicxulub meteor (Alvarez Impact Theory) would have created an even more abrupt mass extinction, however, Gerta Keller's rebuttal to Alvarez, compellingly argues that Deccan Traps volcanism (and not a meteor) did in the dinosaurs. Until the Alvarez/Keller dispute resolves into a clear verdict, our sixth extinction ought to be awarded the interim title for murdering life on earth swiftly.)
3) CO2 concentrations are increasing at least ten times faster than during the greatest mass extinction in earth's history—the "End Permian." In 2023, atmospheric CO2 increased by an astonishing 4.7 parts per million.
4) Climate ruin in the Global South will create more than a billion climate refugees in the next few decades, driving fascist movements and increasing the risk of famine, genocide, and war.
5) Temperature increases as high as 5 degrees Celsius are very possible by the end of the century if governments do not cooperate and radically change course globally. It must be said, they show no signs of even considering this. A 5°C rise in temperatures transpiring over the course of a mere two centuries would make our planet uninhabitable for human civilization as we know it. Bear in mind that the volcanism driving all five mass extinctions of deep time (I am giving the nod to Gerta Keller here) transpired across hundreds of thousands of years in each instance. Capitalism can obliterate millions of species in a geological nanosecond.
6) Sea level rise could be as much as seven feet by the end of the century, displacing billions of people in coastal areas.
7) The immediate future will feature anoxic oceans, slowing of ocean currents, massive dead zones, bleached coral reefs, and the cataclysmic die-off of fish. Inland, 120,000 square kilometers turn into desert annually.
A piece by Clayton Page Aldern just published in Aeon magazine details the ways that heat impinges on neurological functioning. We have just been sent reeling by the Covid-19 pandemic that, uniquely among pathogens, has a propensity to diminish cognition. Lead, the mother of all neurotoxins, is still ubiquitous in U.S. cities thanks to austerity that prioritizes military spending and government handouts to fossil fuel companies while gutting infrastructure spending.
Leaded gasoline, banned several decades ago, caused tens of millions of global deaths and created a worldwide epidemic of brain damage simply because General Motors held the patent on tetraethyl lead and blocked the use of cheap alternatives. Many survivors of leaded gasoline, including myself, now have the task of using our injured brains to come up with a solution to our environmental crises. Increasingly brain damaged people now must tackle increasingly unsolvable environmental assaults.
Factor in pesticides, plastics, mercury and a host of agricultural contaminants that make it difficult to think straight. The bruised remnants of our minds gravitate toward the immediate relief of addictive substances. The biggest of all addictions in a capitalist universe is spending and material consumption. We can't think about complex issues, but we can buy stuff created by fossil fuels.
With capitalism driving humanity toward a warp speed plunge into planetary ruin, our democratic systems have distilled the climate narrative into a bifurcated choice between Republican psychosis and Democratic hopium.
The Republican Party environmental narrative holds that climate change is either a complete hoax or an over-hyped inconvenience spurred by alarmists looking for academic funding. The Democratic Party narrative optimistically assumes that we merely need to defer to the free market and allow green industries to build the windmills and solar panels needed to make oil, coal, and gas obsolete. In other words, we face a certain apocalypse armed only with surrealistic fantasies.
Out of some sort of atavistic hope, I watched the Democratic Party convention searching for some glimmer of rational wisdom. How stupid of me! Conventions promote empty oratory as a matter of tradition. I ought to know by now that the soul of democracy is made out of marshmallow fluff.
There were no speeches suggesting that our politicians have been in touch with our scientists. No one mentioned the trajectory of atmospheric carbon, the future certainty of catastrophic weather or the looming extinction of myriads of species, including humanity. Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama did not mention climate—even in passing.
A couple of millennia ago, Nero allegedly "fiddled while Rome burned," and we still do not forgive him. Thousands of years in the future no one will be alive to hold our orchestra members accountable. For the record, Bernie Sanders did state that nothing in the Democratic Party platform is radical but "allowing polluters to destroy the planet" (he was talking about Republicans) is radical. Alexandra Ocasio - Cortez offered that Americans need "the freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water." Barack Obama mentioned something about "America protecting the world from climate change," but with no elaboration. None of these one-liners counts as climate policy. Real climate policy for either party is greenwash and burn it down.
There was no talk about nationalizing fossil fuels, mobilizing all of the nation's resources for an all-out struggle against mass extinction. None of the feel-good slogans and platitudes had been aimed at climate. I will leave the readers with an important quote:
"From this angle, it becomes clear that capitalism is highly inefficient when it comes to meeting human needs; it produces so much, and yet leaves 60% of the human population without access to even the most basic goods. Why? Because a huge portion of commodity production (and all the energy and materials it requires) is irrelevant to human well-being. Consider this thought experiment: Portugal has significantly better social outcomes than the United States, with 65% less GDP per capita. This means that $38,000 of US per capita income is effectively ‘wasted’. That adds up to $13 trillion per year for the US economy as a whole; $13 trillion worth of extraction and production and consumption each year, and $13 trillion worth of ecological pressure, that adds nothing, in and of itself, to human well-being. It is damage without gain."
This quote is not from Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, or Tim Walz. No, it is from Jason Hickel, perhaps the most lucid and charismatic voice in the movement for degrowth. He was not invited to speak at the DNC convention, and I have no reason to quote him. Forgive me.
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How Harris and Walz Can Win Big at the DNC
By committing to three critical areas—housing affordability, green jobs, and a new direction in foreign policy—they can offer a vision of a fairer, more prosperous, and more just America.
Aug 17, 2024
The Democratic ticket of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is sparking a level of enthusiasm among party supporters and the general American public reminiscent of former President Barack Obama's transformative election in 2008. This excitement is palpable, driven by a combination of Harris' historic candidacy and Walz's grounded Midwestern appeal, on top of their strong records and qualifications.
Yet, maintaining this momentum requires more than charisma, qualifications, and historical firsts; it demands a robust policy platform that addresses the urgent needs of Americans and reflects the core values of the Democratic base.
This election will ultimately come down to turnout of the Democrat's working-class base. Harris signaled she understands this through her selection of Walz as her running mate, over "safer" bets more appealing to conservatives in swing states.
As Democrats gather in Chicago, the Harris/Walz ticket has a golden opportunity to present a bold, transformative platform that can energize the party and win big.
But for many "base voters" struggling to make ends meet, an exclusively anti-Trump message simply wonʻt cut it. Our communities are looking for common-sense solutions to the most fundamental problems we face. As the Democratic National Convention approaches in Chicago, it's crucial that the Harris/Walz ticket prioritizes three key pillars to solidify, expand, and energize their support base to show up big through November.
1. Cut the Cost of Living and Make Housing Affordable
Across the nation, Americans are grappling with rising housing costs that are increasingly out of step with their incomes. For too many, the dream of homeownership—or simply the security of affordable rent—is slipping away. The Democratic platform must commit to bold measures that ensure housing is not a privilege of the rich but a right accessible to all. This includes expanding funding for affordable and social housing projects, offering incentives for cities and states to cut red tape that hinders construction, and implementing rent controls to keep predatory landlords in check. By making housing affordability a cornerstone of their campaign, Harris and Walz can address a fundamental source of economic anxiety for millions.
2. Invest in Union Jobs, Public Infrastructure, and the Environment
The climate crisis poses one of the greatest threats to our health and safety. Tackling this issue head-on presents an opportunity to revitalize the American economy and workforce. While the historic Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act represent a solid step, the Harris/Walz ticket must champion further public investments that not only aim to drastically reduce carbon emissions but also transform our food and transportation systems. These initiatives should be designed to create high-paying, unionized jobs that provide lasting employment across the country. Furthermore, environmental justice must be at the forefront of this plan, ensuring that communities historically impacted by pollution and climate change are the first to benefit from these new opportunities.
3. Promote Peace and Diplomacy Abroad
Foreign policy is often a contentious and overlooked area of presidential platforms, but this year, it's risen to a deciding factor for the super majority of likely Democratic voters in key states. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the substantial U.S. military support for Israel demand urgent reevaluation. Harris and Walz should courageously pivot U.S. foreign policy by advocating for a cessation of arms sales to Israel, focusing on diplomatic resolutions to the conflict, and underscoring the importance of human rights and international law. This stance would not only align with the values of a significant portion of the Democratic base but also position the United States as a leader in ethical foreign policy.
As Democrats gather in Chicago, the Harris/Walz ticket has a golden opportunity to present a bold, transformative platform that can energize the party and win big. By committing to these three critical areas—housing affordability, green jobs, and a new direction in foreign policy—they can offer a vision of a fairer, more prosperous, and more just America. This is the path to not just winning an election, but to making historical progress that will resonate for generations to come.
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Renewable Resilience: Why the US and Ukraine Should Team up on Clean Energy
This cooperation can demonstrate leadership in the fight against climate change, promote peace and stability, and boost economic health for precarious workers in both nations.
Aug 14, 2024
The war in Ukraine is a catastrophe that has plunged the country into a humanitarian crisis and sparked global geopolitical tensions from the China/Taiwan conflict to growing Russian influence in swaths of Africa. Russia continues to use disinformation campaigns to help swing elections in the USA, Europe, and across the planet. But Russian President Vladimir Putin's most immediate target is its Western neighbor, where Russia is intensifying its assault on Ukraine's power structure, resulting in massive suffering in summer, with life-threatening situations for millions predicted this winter.
The recent attack on Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital exemplifies the immense suffering endured by the Ukrainian people. Despite taking place thousands of miles away, the war continues to be a political football used by former U.S. President Donald Trump and his followers to attack their opponents, further dividing people in the USA, just as Putin wants. Even with all of these challenges, there is potential for significant help in all these areas, through creative strategies and the adoption of clean energy solutions, which can also help defeat climate change.
The war in Ukraine has dramatically impacted the global energy landscape, highlighting the vulnerabilities of outdated and polluting fossil fuel systems, and the risks associated with Russia's manipulation of energy supplies. This situation underscores the urgent need for a global transition to clean energy. However, it also offers an opportunity for a mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and Ukraine. By collaborating on renewable energy projects in Ukraine, both countries can secure beneficial economic, environmental, and geopolitical gains.
Economic Benefits, Clean Energy Competitiveness, and Stopping Climate Disruption
The clean energy sector in the United States is booming. Related job growth reached 4% in 2022, bringing the total number of workers in the sector to more than 3.3 million. This sector represents not only a path to future economic prosperity for retrained working- and middle-class people but also an avenue for the United States to build an edge when compared to China, which has been well documented as using forced labor to keep solar prices artificially low.
By partnering with Ukraine on renewable energy projects, the U.S. can leverage this skilled domestic workforce in renewable energy to support project development and component manufacturing. This strategic collaboration could also lower production costs for U.S. companies, speeding up the clean energy transition in America, boosting impact of the Green New Deal, and enhancing global efforts to beat climate change.
Domestic renewable energy projects, such as solar or wind installations, can also contribute to the economic revitalization of war-torn regions in Ukraine.
Increased collaboration would also boost demand for U.S.-made clean energy technologies, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems. This, in turn, would revitalize domestic-quality job creation in the energy sector as fossil fuel industries like coal disappear. This aligns with post-pandemic economic recovery efforts by creating high-skilled jobs and bolstering domestic supply chains.
The urgency of this transition is underscored by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warns of the catastrophic outcomes if global warming exceeds 1.5°C. The U.S. is already experiencing the economic impacts of climate change, with the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reporting that weather and climate disasters since 1980 exceeded $2,7 trillion. Supporting a Ukrainian renewable energy revolution also helps mitigate the worst effects of climate disruption, saving trillions of dollars and countless lives in the long run through avoided climate-related damages.
Strengthening Ukraine's Energy Security and Fostering Stability
Russia's manipulation of energy resources has long been a tool of geopolitical coercion, particularly against Ukraine. By developing a diverse mix of renewable energy sources, Ukraine can reduce its dependency on imported energy sources, enhancing its energy security and resilience. This shift is not just strategic but necessary, as the country seeks to replace destroyed Soviet-era coal plants and phase out risky nuclear facilities. Energy experts have noted that it is significantly harder for an adversary to disable a solar installation or wind farm's dispersed turbines compared to incapacitating a conventional power plant.
Domestic renewable energy projects, such as solar or wind installations, can also contribute to the economic revitalization of war-torn regions in Ukraine. Hospitals and schools can stay open by installing new, affordable solar panels on their roofs, which are easy to replace by local technicians. These projects can be rapidly deployed and maintained, fostering local economies and job creation in war-torn regions, crucial for long-term stability.Collaboration and Building Capacity
To maximize the benefits of a U.S. -Ukraine clean energy partnership, strong collaboration is essential. The U.S. government, alongside clean energy providers and civil society stakeholders, must play a proactive role. The U.S. can utilize its expertise and resources to facilitate investment and knowledge transfer, with state-backed investment guarantees like much of Europe offers. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), with its existing and growing clean energy experience in Ukraine, can offer technical assistance and capacity-building programs to help Ukraine develop a skilled clean energy workforce and a rapidly growing clean energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has championed the clean energy revolution. Streamlining permitting processes, and offering further incentives, will boost cooperation in the clean energy sector. By engaging local communities and ensuring inclusive participation, these projects can gain widespread support and foster social equity.
Stronger collaboration between the United States and Ukraine in clean energy is more than a response to an immediate crisis; it is a forward-looking initiative with global implications. This cooperation can demonstrate leadership in the fight against climate change, promote peace and stability, and boost economic health for precarious workers in both nations. By moving to create a better sustainable energy future in Ukraine, we not only address the urgent challenges of today but also lay the groundwork for a more secure and prosperous tomorrow there and in the USA, free from the grip of petro-dictators like Putin and those who will undoubtedly come after him.
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