1. Conference Transform Denmark
The role of labour in the fight against climate change
Asbjørn Wahl
Spesialrådgiver
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark

2. The climate crisis changes it all
13. september 2011
The climate crisis changes it all
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

3. A multiplicity of crises
13. september 2011
A multiplicity of crises
The climate crisis represents a planetary emergency
In addition, it is accompanied by a number of other crises – economic, social, political, over food etc.
These crises have many of the same root causes which call for major social transformation
They represent both threats and opportunities
Can contribute to strengthen mobilisation
The political situation is both turbulent and open
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

4. An interest-based struggle
13. september 2011
An interest-based struggle
The situation is more serious than ever
Emissions have increased with 60% since – which indicates that the crisis does not seem to be avoided under current social relations
The crisis will have massive social consequences
Thus, it will be at the core of the social struggle
«The only way to avoid the pessimistic scenarios will be radical transformations in the ways the global economy currently functions» (PWC)
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

5. Conference Transform Denmark
13. september 2011
Technology – or power?
The climate problem – not primarily technological, first and foremost a social and political question
We have most of what is required in terms of technology and knowledge to avert a climate crisis
It is the power to translate words into action that will pose the greatest challenge
This is a question of power and ownership – in other words a fight about social power
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

6. We need a systemic approach
13. september 2011
We need a systemic approach
Endless economic growth and ruthless exploitation of resources are embedded in the capitalist economy
Capitalism without growth is capitalism in crisis
A narrow focus on environmental policy will not suffice
A much broader systemic approach is needed – the way we organize our production and our economy
We need democratic control of the economy
Thus, as socialists we also face an opportunity – to address the fundamental questions of our time
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

7. Redistribution of wealth
13. september 2011
Redistribution of wealth
Climate policy cannot be reduced to a question of sacrifice, of what we must give up of hard-won rights
The struggle is about creating a better society for all
Under neo-liberalism, the balance of power has shifted dramatically - wealth has been concentrated in a way which is unprecedented in our entire history
The climate struggle therefore has to go hand in hand with a radical redistribution of wealth – from the North to the South, and from the rich to the poor
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

8. Conference Transform Denmark
13. september 2011
2013: Hurricane Haiyan
Philippines
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

9. The role of the working class
13. september 2011
The role of the working class
It is due to its strategic position in society that the role of the working class is so crucial
The organisational strength of the working class is decisive in order to win the climate struggle
However, trade unions are on the defensive all over and in a deep political and ideological crisis
Our climate policy and the demand of the political left must reflect this situation
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

10. Conference Transform Denmark
13. september 2011
Cimate change and jobs
Many are, understandably, afraid of losing their jobs as a result of climate change mitigation measures
All serious research, however, proves that climate change mitigation creates more jobs than it destroys
Global Climate Jobs networks are being set up
«One Million Climate Jobs» in the UK was the first
Now also existing in South Africa, Portugal, the Philippines, Canada, Norway, Mauritius…
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

11. The problems of trade unions
13. september 2011
The problems of trade unions
Different immediate interests:
Between workers within different modes of energy production (fossil, renewable, nuclear)
Between private industry and public sector
Between different transport modes
Between narrow syndicalism and trade unions with a broader social committement
Workers need a guaranty for jobs and income
Vulnerable groups must be compensated
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

12. Transport as an example
13. september 2011
Transport as an example
There are three ways to cut emissions from transport, the «Reduce - Shift – Improve» strategy:
Better technology («the technological fix»)
To shift from transport modes with high emissions to modes with lower emissions («the modal shift»)
To reduce the need for transport
But transport needs are created outside the transport sector – the way we produce, distribute and consume is decisive – so we need ‘a whole economy’ approach
Every 5-6 year, the IPCC publish a report.
All of them have been more serious and alarming than the previous one.
Global warming happens faster – and gives more damaging effects.
We are getting faster to so-called tipping points (points in which the climate starts to og crazy)
- f.ex. When the Siberian tundra starts to melt, or the snow and ice disappear from Greenland, the North Pole.
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

13. Climate policy = energy policy
13. september 2011
Climate policy = energy policy
Fossil fuel is the main source of GHG emissions
So climate policy is first and foremost energy policy
A rapid and just transition of our energy system require that it is brought under democratic control
This will bring us in confrontation with some of the most powerful economic interests in the world
Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED) is set up to develop policies and alliances for this struggle
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

14. Trade Unions for Energy Democracy
13. september 2011
Trade Unions for Energy Democracy
Established at a meeting in NY in October 2012
Founding document: Resist, Reclaim, Restructure
Secretariat in the Murphy Institute at CUNY
By now about 60 trade unions from 17 countries
«Transition to a just, sustainable energy system can only happen if we are able to shift the balance of power decisively in favour of workers, communities and the public sector»
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

15. Fight against consumerism
13. september 2011
Fight against consumerism
How the neo-liberals see the human being
We will mainly pursue our self-interests
We only do our best under competition
Advertising focuses on wealth and happiness, but only offer us «false satisfaction of real needs»
Cannot be faught by moralism, but through collective actions to get control of our own lives
Solidarity, cooperation and responsibility must replace egoism, competition and consumerism
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

16. Benefits of climate change policies
13. september 2011
Benefits of climate change policies
Benefits of an environmental sustainable society:
Thousands of new jobs will be created in public transport, renewable energy and house retrofitting
Less polluted workplaces and communities
A sustainable use of our natural resources should contribute to giving us shorter working hours
Increased democratic control of the economy will reduce competition and pressure at work
De-commodification of social reproduction
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

17. Broad popular alliances
13. september 2011
Broad popular alliances
To succeed in this struggle, we need to build long-term, broad popular alliances – particularly between the labour and the environmental movement
Climate struggle is about democratisation, redistri-bution of wealth, free use of our common knowledge
To save the climate, we must change society – only then can we create the necessary conditions for a better life for all – including our descendants
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

18. Alliances for system-change
13. september 2011
Alliances for system-change
Climate struggle is about democratisation, re-distribution, free use of our common knowledge
This can only be achieved if we are able considerably to shift the balance of power
We have to unify movements and struggles – particularly the social with the climate struggle
To save the climate requires system change – only then can we create the necessary condition for a better life for all, including our descendants
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

19. Conference Transform Denmark
13. september 2011
NY 2012: Hurricane Sandy
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

20. Conference Transform Denmark
13. september 2011
NY 2012: Hurricane Sandy
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse

21. Conference Transform Denmark
13. september 2011
NY 2014: marching
17. mars 2018
Conference Transform Denmark
NOFS' privatiseringskonferanse