It will take a lot of dissent to create the energy descent needed for a radical reduction in the use of energy. This could reduce fossil fuel use and destruction of rainforests (as a result of growing biofuels) and ultimately slow global warming.
I used to think that we could just pressure those that we have put into positions of power to do it for us but now I know that power must also be taken back. We need to recognise how powerful we are and can be. Doing it ourselves is really important and the only way that things get done.
Corporations and in turn their lapdog Governments are motivated by making money for shareholders. The big and powerful do all they can to maintain business-as-usual. Largely through the pursuit of false solutions to peak oil and climate change. Such as nuclear power, biofuels, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon trading. The real solution lies in social change to a society that lives in harmony with nature and does not consume too much.
A theme behind past and future climate camps is that we are the only generation that can take back the power in time. This is founded on the belief that governments, bankers and corporations are not going to be able to turn this juggernaut around even when individuals in high positions see the need.
Hope lies in the resilience and creativeness of people. Creating radical social change from the grass roots. Creating a new and exciting alternative sustainable culture. A permanent culture! This is beginning to happen through initiatives like the transition town movement but breathing spaces are needed to allow it to come to fruition.
Progressive political forces can help create these spaces. However, our global corporate economy has an inherent interest in stopping the massive social change we need.
It is for this reason that I am taking direct action on the root causes of climate change. Climate camps have been saying another world is possible and helping to show the positive alternative future that the corporations and governments are stopping us from seeing.
The Climate Action movement is growing and there will be over 15 Camps for Climate Action around the world this year with four in the UK. It will take a lot of dissent to create an energy descent, so join us at:
- the Camp near London 27th August till 2nd September (see www.climatecamp.org.uk)
- Scotland (early August) or at Climate Camp Cymru
- the Camp for Climate Action in Wales, 13 -16 August, near Merthyr Tydfil (see www.climatecampcymru.org)
- Climate Camp nr. London 27 Aug till 2 Sept(www.climatecamp.org.uk)