Capitalism and Planetary Destruction: Activism for Climate Change Emergency

Article


Cole, M. 2020. Capitalism and Planetary Destruction: Activism for Climate Change Emergency . Cultural Logic: Marxist Theory & Practice. 24, pp. 1-29. https://doi.org/10.14288/clogic.v24i
AuthorsCole, M.
Abstract

This article is in two sections. In section 1, I discuss the relationship between capitalism and planetary destruction, and in section 2, activism for climate change emergency. I begin section 1 with a brief summary of the agreement made at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. I then consider the relationship between capitalism and planetary destruction, focusing on the negative role of certain capitalist world leaders, namely Donald Trump, Jair Bolsonaro and Scott Morrison. Next I address the Paris climate change accord four years on: Madrid (COP 25), suggesting that we may be on a trend for total planetary catastrophe. I conclude section 1 with a forward look to Glasgow 2021 (COP 26), suggesting that we have a mountain to climb. In section 2, after briefly outlining the long history of climate change awareness, the role of activism in fostering climate change emergency is analysed, with reference to Greta Thunberg, and movements inspired by her example, as well as Extinction Rebellion. The case is made that a climate change emergency needs to be declared worldwide, citing a number of factors that seriously threaten the survival of our planet. I move on to a consideration of the relationship between climate change and gender, before concluding the chapter by stressing that it is not just the existence of humankind that is at threat, but also around a million other species.

JournalCultural Logic: Marxist Theory & Practice
Journal citation24, pp. 1-29
ISSN1097-3087
Year2020
PublisherCultural Logic
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Anyone
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.14288/clogic.v24i
Web address (URL)https://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/clogic/article/view/193676
Publication dates
Online12 Aug 2020
Publication process dates
Accepted21 Apr 2020
Deposited03 Sep 2020
Copyright holder© 2020 Mike Cole
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