Comments on: Who negotiates for nature?

By: manga stream

manga stream — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 14:11:53 +0000

We have to speak up on behalf of Nature and strive to save our planet.

By: Matthew Baker

Matthew Baker — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:03:18 +0000

Who negotiates for nature? Capitalists. Capitalism requires three percent compound growth to perpetuate; capitalist rule spells collective suicide for us and biocide for the rest of the biosphere. Until this system is abolished and replaced with democratic control of production and natural and social relationships then we as environmentalists, and other social/environmental justice activists will fight perpetual skirmishes with this ruling class, win ning some battles here and there, e.g. greening electronics, carbon taxes, but will surely lose the war against the bottomless greed of a transnational capitalist ruling class. In short, I see no alternative but a vigorous drive to construct a new communist or socialist global revolution in a united front of anti-capitalist protesters, e.g. labour unions, indigenous groups, peasants, urban anti-gentrification groups and of course environmental groups not yet in league with capitalist interests.

I am inspired by David Harvey who writes about what it means to be a communist: “Communists, Marx and Engels averred in their original conception laid out in The Communist Manifesto, have no political party. They simply constitute themselves at all times and in all places as those who understand the limits, failings and destructive tendencies of the capitalist order as well as the innumerable ideological masks and false legitimations that capitalists and their apologists (particularly in the media) produce in order to perpetuate their singular class power. Communists are all those who work incessantly to produce a different future to that which capitalism portends. This is an interesting definition. While traditional institutionalized communism is as good as dead and buried, there are by this definition millions of de facto communists active among us, willing to act upon their understandings, ready to creatively pursue anti-capitalist imperatives. If, as the alternative globalization movement of the late 1990s declared, ‘another world is possible’ then why not also say ‘another communism is possible’? The current circumstances of capitalist development demand something of this sort, if fundamental change is to be achieved” (David Harvey 2010, ‘Is Another Communism Possible?’ davidharvey.org).

By: Robin

Robin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:52:07 +0000

It is time that we the people of British Columbia reclaimed the power to govern ourselves and our province. The Gordon Campbells are elected, based on who can tell the best lies, into a system which has been secretly tampered with so that it will inevitabley fail. I fear we are soon heading towards the Amero and the North American Union with the loss of our nation and our freedoms. Robert Pastor who gave us NAFTA is actively promoting this global corporate business plan for us, without our consultation. Our adult kids refuse to believe it because despite having heard about it, they don’t see it so it can’t be true. Despite having a wealth of information at their fingertips when they are on their ipads, they prefer to play games, gamble, text. Although we discouraged television when they were kids, they are brainwashed by it now. The evil that has spun a web of greed around us has done so in every facet of our lives. It has corrupted politicians and paid the salaries of thousands and thousands of lobbyists. It has funded both sides of wars and likely even started wars. It has existed some 200 years and we all know it as the beginning of central banking. The banking cartels are the disease that is killing the earth and all her flora and fauna. They are ultimately behind everything that is not right in our province, our nation, our continent, our world.

By: Celmer

Celmer — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:10:52 +0000

It is true, the laws of physics, the laws of ecology, net energy, the law of conservation of energy and matter, all these natural can hardly or will never change. No matter how we run government and modify its laws and statutes the natural laws remain the same. No matter who wins in the green debate, or the oil spill issues, or fossil fuel or solar energy or whatever result we may publish in the media or in the internet. The laws of nature remains. Unless, we as humans adopt and follow the laws of nature for a sustainable relationship between man and the environment. We can never live a better life as a human race. We must follow natures laws.

By: Lisa Schwabe

Lisa Schwabe — Mon, 03 May 2010 20:15:42 +0000

It is a good article, emphasizing how to really approach global warming with “DeGrowth.” Change must come quickly as humanity has met and surpassed the biological and physical limits of the planet. Corporations have to be limited in regard to ever more increases in financial gain through productivity of “stuff” we do not need and only ends up in the garbage. This garbage is ending up in the landfill where it also poisons in many places groundwater and soil. It can only be hoped that more sensible minds in places of power wake up and realize that we are destroying the world not only for us, but for our children and grandchildren.

By: Andrea Peloso

Andrea Peloso — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:13:15 +0000

Who wouldn’t be furious at corporate misuse of an ecology that is beyond any kind of number value? The BC Hydro privatization is a sham, a robbery of the planet and the people at the same time. Thanks for pointing out the dual nature of anti-climate propaganda with massive public land grabs. We are watching, as a people, countless robberies of our public wealth happen faster than we can fight, and all for short term gain with no foresight.

It is so disgusting how the ethic of capitalism infuses even the most obvious issues with layers of robbery and chaos. I agree – we can’t all get rich – that dream is literally a “dying” dream, a “pipe” dream smoking the planet. We need to start naming these issues for what they are: robbery.

Naked corporate capitalism reveals itself to be a bludger on nature, a thief. Green organizations that cave to corporate pressure are failing their donors.

By: Monica Otterstein

Monica Otterstein — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:14:19 +0000

Dear Rex, I am shocked that some of the environmental groups are caving into industry’s big money. We are very upset at what is happening here in B.C. with our rivers and watersheds and many other issues. Gordon Campbell treats our province as if it is his to sell to the biggest bidder and the people of B.C. are so complacent, they do not have any idea of what goes on or they simply don’t care. Campbell has just won another popularity contest with his olympics which totally served his purpose and swooned all the people of the province to thinking that everything is as it should be. I have not figured out how we can persuade the public to vote otherwise, since all they care about is that they are doing well. This also includes a lot of people who should know better. I would very much hear more about your ideas and how you think we can help the sinking ship. Thank you for your good thoughts.

By: Tom Kleiner

Tom Kleiner — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:42:27 +0000

Thanks for this. Good that you left out the personal conflicts and stuck to the issues, the disturbing shift among certain “environmental” ngos, who spend too much time in airplanes and corporate offices, and not enough time with nature, which they supposedly work for.

I’m glad you think Greenpeace is still keeping on track and not taking the corporate money.

You are right about the “green disaster capitalism.” What is going on here in B.C. is an outrage. It is another attempt by corporate interests to steal the public commons. Thanks for standing up and giving voice to the frustrations many of us feel. I hope you’re not being too nice. These people are thieves and opportunitsts.

By: Anuradha Padmanabhan

Anuradha Padmanabhan — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:24:33 +0000

Extremely well written and informative. The title, “Who Negotiates For Nature?” is very poignant. We are all part of the Elements and Nature and since this is very close to my heart I have written a poem ” I Find Myself ”

It is posted in my Blog ” Save The Earth,” which can be read at my myspace URL http://www.myspace.com/anu.padmanabhan

We have to speak up on behalf of Nature and strive to save our planet.