Eco socialism It has been calculated that if made for many other against Sheila Malone In the short time available in our workshop we filled a poster-sized worksheet with ideas about what we are for and against as ecosocialists. Most of us were from left backgrounds, but others had come to the forum because of recent actions against climate change.
The left is generally comfortable with the notion that you have to be red to be green, but often find their own 'greening' much more of a challenge, whether politically or personally.
So, although we identified with many traditional 'environmental' issues, e.g. we were against waste, pollution. productivism, consumerism' and for sustainable development, we had not all campaigned over these things.
Being 'against capitalism, imperialism, an end to poverty and inequality was our more familiar terrain.
So, one topic was the need to reclaim an eco-socialist tradition, which combined the social and ecological, for instance in the writings and work of William Morris.
Some of us had been involved in the recent antiglobalisation movements and social forums, where social and environmental campaigners have come together, driving a renewal of both red and green poitics.
The huge and looming threat of climate change, already devastating millions of the poorest, is deepening this
unity and renewal. So we
talked about the need to
continue co-operation between
reds and greens
Someone also reminded us
of the importance of
'inclusivity, imagination,
collective hope' -necessary
ingredients in a process of
reclaiming and renewal, which
should permeate all aspects of
our politics, culture and
everyday life.
My optimism is that this will
enrich and equip us as
ecosocialists of the future.
So, thank you to everyone
who attended the workshop,
but please stay involved -your thoughts and work are
needed in the times ahead.