Australia needs change

THE WORLD FOR THE WORKERS

WORKERS FOR THE WORLD

• Australia has one of the highest per capita emissions of carbon dioxide in the world. It contributes 1.3 percent to global emissions with a relatively small population of about 25 million people.
• Australia is also the world’s largest exporter of metallurgical coal, accounting for 17 percent of world production in 2018, and is the world’s second-largest thermal coal exporter, exporting 210 million tonnes in 2018-19 valued at AUD 26 million.

Environmental groups argue that it is feasible for Australia to move to a low carbon economy and the country has huge potential for solar power and wind energy.

In many locations around Australia the  scale and intensity of the forest fire devastation could best be summed up as apocalyptic.  Temperatures have been soaring close to 50 °C, parched land, low humidity, strong winds fuelled the fires that since September have claimed 24 lives and set ablaze more than 6.3 million hectares of land. Thousands have been rendered homeless and there has been a heavy toll on wildlife. The  smoke blanketing cities and towns has exposed people to very high levels of air pollution over extended time periods creating a very serious health issue especially for those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and even upper respiratory conditions such as laryngitis. 

Scientists and environmentalists have been warning that global warming will increase the intensity and duration of fires and floods, mounting pressure on Australia to do more towards cutting greenhouse gas emission. According to Climate Council, Australia’s leading climate change communications organisation, "The Australian Government’s use of disingenuous and dodgy accounting tricks to meet its woefully inadequate 2030 climate target is irresponsible because it masks genuine climate action. 

Capitalism does not have the answers. Neither does it have the will.  Our rulers are the owning class, they control, they have means. To them they are above climate change. Food shortages? Not for them. Water shortages? Not for them. Heatwaves? They’ll use aircon. Floods? they will move to ther second or third homes.They are metaphorically and literally insulated against many of the effects of climate change through power and ownership. This is the same class that currently does nothing now to prevent mass slaughter, does nothing to prevent mass famine, disease, etc. Why would they be bothered about climate change? To think they won’t kill the goose that lays their golden eggs is silly – so long as they have enough put by, they couldn’t care less.  

Our best and last chance we have to promote and advocate socialism to the people. This isn’t just a climate issue it is a revolutionary and a class issue. It has been caused as a direct result of capitalism, is will get worse under capitalism, capitalism has no incentive to cure it and the capitalist class will be least affected by the coming disasters. The working class and the poor will be the worst affected and now have everything to gain by challenging the status quo.