TOWARD DEMOCRATIC ECO-SOCIALISM IN AUSTRALIA TOWARD DEMOCRATIC ECO-SOCIALISM IN AUSTRALIA AS PART OF A GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AS PART OF A GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

MITIGATION STRATEGY: A REAL UTOPIAN VISION MITIGATION STRATEGY: A REAL UTOPIAN VISION

Hans A. BaerHans A. Baer

School of Philosophy, Anthropology, and Social Inquiry and Centre of Health & School of Philosophy, Anthropology, and Social Inquiry and Centre of Health & SocietySociety

University of MelbourneUniversity of Melbourne

Changing the Climate conference – Fourth Australian Conference on Utopia, Changing the Climate conference – Fourth Australian Conference on Utopia, Dystopia and Science Fiction – convened by Andrew Milner, Director of Dystopia and Science Fiction – convened by Andrew Milner, Director of Comparative Literature, Monash University, 29 October 2010. Comparative Literature, Monash University, 29 October 2010.

‘‘REAL UTOPIAS’ PROJECTREAL UTOPIAS’ PROJECT

Summarised by Erik Olin Wright in in ENVISIONING REAL UTOPIAS (Verso, 2010) Summarised by Erik Olin Wright in in ENVISIONING REAL UTOPIAS (Verso, 2010)

Marx and Engels wrote about ‘utopian socialism’Marx and Engels wrote about ‘utopian socialism’

Vision of socialism, let alone communism, strike most people as utopianVision of socialism, let alone communism, strike most people as utopian

Utopias generally viewed as unrealistic dreamsUtopias generally viewed as unrealistic dreams

‘‘real utopias’real utopias’

Achievable or realistic dreams or visionAchievable or realistic dreams or vision

Notion that capitalism constitutes ‘end of history’ utopianNotion that capitalism constitutes ‘end of history’ utopian

Socialism ‘real utopia’ and will require numerous transitional stepsSocialism ‘real utopia’ and will require numerous transitional steps

Transitional reforms Transitional reforms

CLIVE HAMILTON IN CLIVE HAMILTON IN REQUIEM FOR A SPECIES REQUIEM FOR A SPECIES

““Without some unforeseeable stroke of luck, a warming of four Without some unforeseeable stroke of luck, a warming of four degrees and more appears very likely. The best estimate is that degrees and more appears very likely. The best estimate is that we will reach that level in the 2070s or 2080, although if things we will reach that level in the 2070s or 2080, although if things go badly it could be as soon as 2060s.”go badly it could be as soon as 2060s.”

Counsels “only by acting, and acting ethically, can we redeem Counsels “only by acting, and acting ethically, can we redeem our humanity.”our humanity.”

Does not leave us a vision for getting humanity, including Does not leave us a vision for getting humanity, including Australia, out of the quagmire that climate change presents all Australia, out of the quagmire that climate change presents all of us on numerous fronts of us on numerous fronts

DYSTOPIA SCENARIO #1 DEPICTED IN GEORGE TURNER’S DYSTOPIA SCENARIO #1 DEPICTED IN GEORGE TURNER’S THE THE SEA AND SUMMER SEA AND SUMMER (1987)(1987)

World temperature 4.5C higher than in 1990 by 2040sWorld temperature 4.5C higher than in 1990 by 2040s ““Earth’s resources were sacked to shore up illusion of an endlessly expanding economy.” Earth’s resources were sacked to shore up illusion of an endlessly expanding economy.” Yarra had long ago been forced over its banks by rising tidesYarra had long ago been forced over its banks by rising tides Coast roads have vanished Coast roads have vanished Winter last few weeks in MelbourneWinter last few weeks in Melbourne

Victoria fluctuated between drought and torrential floods Victoria fluctuated between drought and torrential floods Lower floors of Melbourne tenements uninhabitable Lower floors of Melbourne tenements uninhabitable Collapse of world exchange & money systemCollapse of world exchange & money system

Coupon system and corruptionCoupon system and corruption Repudiation of 3Repudiation of 3rdrd World debt World debt Totalitarian Australian stateTotalitarian Australian state

9/10 of population is Swills9/10 of population is Swills 24 Swill towers in Newport24 Swill towers in Newport Towers in RichmondTowers in Richmond Swells live upland areas, such as CamberwellSwells live upland areas, such as Camberwell University had been built on forward slopes of DandanongsUniversity had been built on forward slopes of Dandanongs

Australia gave up upper 1/3 to Asians ‘squeezed from paddy fields’ Australia gave up upper 1/3 to Asians ‘squeezed from paddy fields’

Tony Kevin on ‘The southern Australia, 2060: drowning cities Tony Kevin on ‘The southern Australia, 2060: drowning cities in a parched land’ in CRUNCH TIME (2009)in a parched land’ in CRUNCH TIME (2009)

Global average temperature increase 4C, 10C in polar regions, and 6 C in temperate Global average temperature increase 4C, 10C in polar regions, and 6 C in temperate regionsregions

CO2e holding at around 550 ppm but global average temperature continues to riseCO2e holding at around 550 ppm but global average temperature continues to rise World decided to stop burning fossil fuels 30 years agoWorld decided to stop burning fossil fuels 30 years ago

Australians have in large numbers turned back on seashoresAustralians have in large numbers turned back on seashores City centres are emptying outCity centres are emptying out Societies desperately pursuing autarkic solutionsSocieties desperately pursuing autarkic solutions Australian government ceded sovereignty over northern 1/2 of country, leaving it open for Australian government ceded sovereignty over northern 1/2 of country, leaving it open for

free settlement by climate refuges from Asiafree settlement by climate refuges from Asia Southern Australia landscape of dissolving coastlines, parched tablelands, and high Southern Australia landscape of dissolving coastlines, parched tablelands, and high

inland desertinland desert Diet more vegetarianDiet more vegetarian Heavy reliance on solar, wind, and geothermal energyHeavy reliance on solar, wind, and geothermal energy Civil aviation no more, private cars have virtually disappeared, but rail making comebackCivil aviation no more, private cars have virtually disappeared, but rail making comeback Great changes in code of moralsGreat changes in code of morals Regulated market-economyRegulated market-economy Mainly local economic activity Mainly local economic activity

CONTRADICTION IN KEVIN’S BOOKCONTRADICTION IN KEVIN’S BOOK

Engineer with Keynesian economic perspectiveEngineer with Keynesian economic perspective

Starts out with dystopian vision but a partially utopian vision of Starts out with dystopian vision but a partially utopian vision of Australian society in 2060 Australian society in 2060

Suggests need for ‘regulated market economy’Suggests need for ‘regulated market economy’

movement to ‘A Simpler Way’movement to ‘A Simpler Way’

‘‘People do not have to reject Australia’s affluent consumerist People do not have to reject Australia’s affluent consumerist society to oppose global warming. People can legitimately society to oppose global warming. People can legitimately support as high-consumption renewable energy-based society’ support as high-consumption renewable energy-based society’ (p. 190).(p. 190).

MY OWN SENSE OF MAINSTREAM EFFORTS MY OWN SENSE OF MAINSTREAM EFFORTS TO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGETO MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE

vast majority timidvast majority timid

ETS, carbon offsetting, carbon sequestration, nuclear energy, geo-engineering, etc problematicETS, carbon offsetting, carbon sequestration, nuclear energy, geo-engineering, etc problematic Ecological modernisation important but not enoughEcological modernisation important but not enough

• Solar, wind, geothermal, wave, energy efficiency, etcSolar, wind, geothermal, wave, energy efficiency, etc

‘‘How can you expect system that created problem to solve the problem?’How can you expect system that created problem to solve the problem?’

Things are going to worse before they betterThings are going to worse before they better

Capitalist world system fraught with numerous contradictionsCapitalist world system fraught with numerous contradictions Growing gap between rich and poorGrowing gap between rich and poor Resource wars Resource wars Depletion of natural resourcesDepletion of natural resources Environmental degradation, including CCEnvironmental degradation, including CC Poverty stimulates population growthPoverty stimulates population growth

See GLOBAL WARMING AND THE POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF HEALTH by Hans Baer and Merrill Singer (Left Coast See GLOBAL WARMING AND THE POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF HEALTH by Hans Baer and Merrill Singer (Left Coast Press, 2009). Press, 2009).

Imperative that we think outside of box – engage in utopian thinkingImperative that we think outside of box – engage in utopian thinking ENVISIONING REAL UTOPIAS – Erik Olin WrightENVISIONING REAL UTOPIAS – Erik Olin Wright Social systems do not last foreverSocial systems do not last forever Time to begin to think about transcending global capitalismTime to begin to think about transcending global capitalism

VISION OF GLOBAL DEMOCRATIC ECO-SOCIALISMVISION OF GLOBAL DEMOCRATIC ECO-SOCIALISMOR GLOBAL DEMOCRACYOR GLOBAL DEMOCRACY

Production to meet social needsProduction to meet social needs

Public ownership of means of productionPublic ownership of means of production

High degree of social equalityHigh degree of social equality

mixture of representative and participatory democracymixture of representative and participatory democracy

mixture of centralisation and decentralisation at international, national, mixture of centralisation and decentralisation at international, national, regional, and local levelsregional, and local levels

Environmental sustainabilityEnvironmental sustainability

Sources: THE SPIRAL OF CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM. Terry Boswell and Sources: THE SPIRAL OF CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM. Terry Boswell and Christopher Chase-Dunn, 2003 and MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND THE Christopher Chase-Dunn, 2003 and MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY AND THE WORLD SYSTEM. Hans A. Baer, Merrill Singer, and Ida Susser (2WORLD SYSTEM. Hans A. Baer, Merrill Singer, and Ida Susser (2ndnd edition, edition, 2003). 2003).

THEORIES ON POST-REVOLUTIONARY SOCIETIESTHEORIES ON POST-REVOLUTIONARY SOCIETIES

State socialism or ‘actually existing socialism’State socialism or ‘actually existing socialism’

Transitions between capitalism and socialismTransitions between capitalism and socialism

State capitalismState capitalism

New class societiesNew class societies

Reasons socialism not fully implemented: internal and external Reasons socialism not fully implemented: internal and external conditionsconditions

Hans Baer. CRUMBLING WALLS AND TARNISHED IDEALS: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF Hans Baer. CRUMBLING WALLS AND TARNISHED IDEALS: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF EAST GERMANY BEFORE AND AFTER UNIFICATION. University Press of America, 1998. EAST GERMANY BEFORE AND AFTER UNIFICATION. University Press of America, 1998.

Trotsky’s notion of ‘permanent revolutionTrotsky’s notion of ‘permanent revolution’’

THE DRIVE FOR DEMOCRATIC ECO-SOCIALISM: THE DRIVE FOR DEMOCRATIC ECO-SOCIALISM: A GLOBAL PROJECT THAT MAY BE UNDERGOING RENEWAL A GLOBAL PROJECT THAT MAY BE UNDERGOING RENEWAL

Robert W. McChesney and John Bellamy FosterRobert W. McChesney and John Bellamy Foster

““[S]ocialism, which offers the possibility of a more egalitarian, democratic, sustainable, [S]ocialism, which offers the possibility of a more egalitarian, democratic, sustainable, and collective response to our problems, is a necessity on both social and environmental and collective response to our problems, is a necessity on both social and environmental grounds if we expect to have a chance at a rational future or indeed any long-term future grounds if we expect to have a chance at a rational future or indeed any long-term future at all.”at all.”

““With the failures and successes of some of the early social experiments in our rear-view With the failures and successes of some of the early social experiments in our rear-view mirrors, and the new socialism of the twenty-first century, pioneered above all in Latin mirrors, and the new socialism of the twenty-first century, pioneered above all in Latin America, in front of us, we believe that the classical notion of socialism has resumed its America, in front of us, we believe that the classical notion of socialism has resumed its central role. To us, it is encouraging to see the left victories across Latin America in the central role. To us, it is encouraging to see the left victories across Latin America in the past decade.”past decade.”

Source: ‘Capitalism, the absurd system: a view from the United States.’ MONTHLY REVIEW, Source: ‘Capitalism, the absurd system: a view from the United States.’ MONTHLY REVIEW, June 2010June 2010

Creating democratic eco-socialism would have to be part and parcel of a very complex global Creating democratic eco-socialism would have to be part and parcel of a very complex global processprocess

No such thing as ‘socialism in one country’ No such thing as ‘socialism in one country’

A VISION OF AN ALTERNATIVE AUSTRALIA - A VISION OF AN ALTERNATIVE AUSTRALIA - TRANSITIONAL OR RADICAL REFORMSTRANSITIONAL OR RADICAL REFORMS

Part and parcel of global struggle Part and parcel of global struggle

Rejuvenated new left part as a strategy of achieving greater democracyRejuvenated new left part as a strategy of achieving greater democracy

Carbon and other emissions taxes at sites of productionCarbon and other emissions taxes at sites of production

Public ownership of utilities and other industries Public ownership of utilities and other industries

Movement toward greater social equality nationally and internationallyMovement toward greater social equality nationally and internationally

Renewable sources of energy, Need for green steel industry, energy efficiency, and green jobsRenewable sources of energy, Need for green steel industry, energy efficiency, and green jobs

Sustainable transport Sustainable transport

Resistance to Australian culture of consumption – need for a ‘simpler way’Resistance to Australian culture of consumption – need for a ‘simpler way’

Shorter work week Shorter work week Redesigning cities Redesigning cities

Sustainable agriculture and forestrySustainable agriculture and forestry

Challenging population bugaboo Challenging population bugaboo

A REJUVENATED NEW LEFT PARTY – A PEOPLE’S OR A REJUVENATED NEW LEFT PARTY – A PEOPLE’S OR ALLIANCE PARTY ALLIANCE PARTY

‘‘Unholy alliance’ of various progressive groups and individualsUnholy alliance’ of various progressive groups and individuals

One that would learn from pitfalls of New Left Party (early 1990s), Rainbow Alliance (1987-1993), and One that would learn from pitfalls of New Left Party (early 1990s), Rainbow Alliance (1987-1993), and more recently Progressive Partymore recently Progressive Party

Actors in New Left PartyActors in New Left Party

More progressive GreensMore progressive Greens Socialist parties and groupsSocialist parties and groups

• Socialist AllianceSocialist Alliance

• SolidaritySolidarity

• Socialist Party of AustraliaSocialist Party of Australia

• SolidaritySolidarity

• Freedom Socialist PartyFreedom Socialist Party Independent eco-socialists and eco-anarchistsIndependent eco-socialists and eco-anarchists Left-wing and/or disgruntled ALP-typesLeft-wing and/or disgruntled ALP-types Progressive immigrants Progressive immigrants

STEEP CARBON TAX AND OTHER EMISSIONS TAXES AT SITES STEEP CARBON TAX AND OTHER EMISSIONS TAXES AT SITES OF PRODUCTIONOF PRODUCTION

Not perfect instrumentNot perfect instrument

Rebates for low-income people Rebates for low-income people

Better than ETS and carbon offsetting schemesBetter than ETS and carbon offsetting schemes

Exists in several countriesExists in several countries

Norway – carbon tax of $US50Norway – carbon tax of $US50 Sweden – carbon tax of $US40Sweden – carbon tax of $US40 Denmark – carbon tax of $14Denmark – carbon tax of $14

Dick Nicholls in GREEN LEFT WEEKLY, 10 March 2010Dick Nicholls in GREEN LEFT WEEKLY, 10 March 2010

‘‘A rising carbon price is a powerful incentive for capitalists to move to less carbon-intensive production A rising carbon price is a powerful incentive for capitalists to move to less carbon-intensive production methods.’methods.’

‘‘A properly designed carbon tax would make possible generous compensation schemes for working A properly designed carbon tax would make possible generous compensation schemes for working people and people on welfare faced with rising fuel and electricity prices.’people and people on welfare faced with rising fuel and electricity prices.’

‘‘If combined with the elimination of the GST, increases in welfare payments and cuts to income tax for If combined with the elimination of the GST, increases in welfare payments and cuts to income tax for the low-paid, a ‘tax mix’ that puts people and the environment before polluting corporations.’the low-paid, a ‘tax mix’ that puts people and the environment before polluting corporations.’

PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF MEANS OF PRODUCTIONPUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF MEANS OF PRODUCTION

‘‘nationalisation,’ ‘socialisation,’ ‘direct investment’nationalisation,’ ‘socialisation,’ ‘direct investment’

Not particularly radical ideaNot particularly radical idea Advocated by Socialist Alliance and SolidarityAdvocated by Socialist Alliance and Solidarity Most Greens still quite timid about it – personal conversations with Most Greens still quite timid about it – personal conversations with

Clive Hamilton and Christine MilneClive Hamilton and Christine Milne

Would take a bold government with strong political willWould take a bold government with strong political will

Place to start would be with utilitiesPlace to start would be with utilities

Shift away from coal and even natural gasShift away from coal and even natural gas Renewable sources of energy: solar, wind, geothermal, etcRenewable sources of energy: solar, wind, geothermal, etc Opening for creation of ‘green jobs’ Opening for creation of ‘green jobs’

MOVEMENT TOWARD GREATER SOCIAL EQUALITYMOVEMENT TOWARD GREATER SOCIAL EQUALITY

International comparison of income inequalityInternational comparison of income inequality

Country Richest 10% to Richest 20% to Gini coefficientCountry Richest 10% to Richest 20% to Gini coefficient

poorest 10% poorest 20%poorest 10% poorest 20%

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Japan 4.5 3.4 0.249Japan 4.5 3.4 0.249

Sweden 6.2 4.0 0.250Sweden 6.2 4.0 0.250

Germany 6.9 4.3 0.283Germany 6.9 4.3 0.283

France 9.1 5.6 0.327France 9.1 5.6 0.327

Australia 12.5 7.0 0.352Australia 12.5 7.0 0.352

UK 13.8 7.2 0.360UK 13.8 7.2 0.360

USA 15.9 8.4 0.408USA 15.9 8.4 0.408

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Source: UN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2006. Source: UN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2006.

ABS (2006): Wealthiest 20% of households own 59% of wealth and bottom 40% ABS (2006): Wealthiest 20% of households own 59% of wealth and bottom 40% own 7%. own 7%.

OTHER RADICAL REFORMS WOULD HOPEFULLY FOLLOWOTHER RADICAL REFORMS WOULD HOPEFULLY FOLLOW

Movement toward great social equality national and internationallyMovement toward great social equality national and internationally

Ecological modernisation necessary but not sufficient condition for effective climate change Ecological modernisation necessary but not sufficient condition for effective climate change mitigationmitigation

Renewable sources of energy, energy efficiency, public transport, minimising use of cars Renewable sources of energy, energy efficiency, public transport, minimising use of cars and airplanes, railways for transport and shipping, etcand airplanes, railways for transport and shipping, etc

Break capitalist treadmill of production and consumption Break capitalist treadmill of production and consumption

Need for ‘simpler way’ Need for ‘simpler way’

Redesigning Australian citiesRedesigning Australian cities

Sustainable agriculture and forestrySustainable agriculture and forestry

Shift to vegetarianism Shift to vegetarianism

Addressing population bugabooAddressing population bugaboo

SOCIALISM VS COMMUNISMSOCIALISM VS COMMUNISM

Communism Communism

‘‘From each according his abilities, to each other to his needs’From each according his abilities, to each other to his needs’

SocialismSocialism

‘‘From each according to his abilities, to each according to his work.’ From each according to his abilities, to each according to his work.’

Tolerable income inequalityTolerable income inequality

Frank Stillwell = 3.1Frank Stillwell = 3.1 Greater compensation for longer hours Greater compensation for longer hours Less compensation for shorter hours Less compensation for shorter hours

Other compensations for meaningful work other than material rewardsOther compensations for meaningful work other than material rewards

Intrinsic rewardsIntrinsic rewards Intellectual and even physical stimulationIntellectual and even physical stimulation Contribution to greater good - altruismContribution to greater good - altruism

ECOLOGICAL MODERNISATION OFTEN SEEN ECOLOGICAL MODERNISATION OFTEN SEEN AS WAY TO ACHIEVE SAFE CLIMATE AS WAY TO ACHIEVE SAFE CLIMATE

Energy efficiencyEnergy efficiency

RecyclingRecycling

Alternative energy sourcesAlternative energy sources

Solar, wind, geothermal, wave – strong candidatesSolar, wind, geothermal, wave – strong candidates Nuclear energy – dubious in present formNuclear energy – dubious in present form Biofuels – problemmatic if require large chunks of landBiofuels – problemmatic if require large chunks of land Biochar – maybe Biochar – maybe

Green jobsGreen jobs

Many of above important but insufficientMany of above important but insufficient

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTSUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT

Good local public transport Good local public transport

Good regional and interstate public transportGood regional and interstate public transport

Walking and cycling Walking and cycling

Reduce cars as much as possibleReduce cars as much as possible

Take cars out of CBDsTake cars out of CBDs Ban four wheel drives except in mountainous or outback areasBan four wheel drives except in mountainous or outback areas

Limit air travel Limit air travel

teleconferencingteleconferencing

Bioregional approach to holiday travelBioregional approach to holiday travel

RESISTANCE TO THE AUSTRALIAN RESISTANCE TO THE AUSTRALIAN CULTURE OF CONSUMPTIONCULTURE OF CONSUMPTION

Mainstream Australian climate movement and Greens have sheepish of taking Mainstream Australian climate movement and Greens have sheepish of taking this one onthis one on

Ted Trainer – ‘A simpler way’Ted Trainer – ‘A simpler way’

Smaller dwelling unitsSmaller dwelling units More characteristic of Europe and JapanMore characteristic of Europe and Japan

Fewer appliances and gadgetsFewer appliances and gadgets Do we need huge plasma TVs?Do we need huge plasma TVs? Do we need a mobile phone for every member of the family?Do we need a mobile phone for every member of the family?

My comments of resting the culture of consumption are directed primarily at My comments of resting the culture of consumption are directed primarily at the affluent, even the affluent in the working class, who turn to consumerism as the affluent, even the affluent in the working class, who turn to consumerism as a compensation for alienation in the workplace and in every day social life. a compensation for alienation in the workplace and in every day social life.

NEED FOR A SHORTER WORK WEEKNEED FOR A SHORTER WORK WEEK

Juliet Schor wrote THE OVERWORKED AMERICAN in 1991Juliet Schor wrote THE OVERWORKED AMERICAN in 1991 Someone needs to write THE OVERWORKED AUSTRALIANSomeone needs to write THE OVERWORKED AUSTRALIAN

Hours worked by F-T workers in various developed societies in 2007Hours worked by F-T workers in various developed societies in 2007 Australia and NZ – 44 hrsAustralia and NZ – 44 hrs UK – 43 hrsUK – 43 hrs France and Germany – 41 hrsFrance and Germany – 41 hrs Sweden – 40 hrsSweden – 40 hrs Netherlands and Norway – 39 hrsNetherlands and Norway – 39 hrs

Union membership in various developed countries in 2003Union membership in various developed countries in 2003 Australia – 23%Australia – 23% Sweden – 78%Sweden – 78% Norway – 53%Norway – 53%

REDESIGNING AUSTRALIAN CITIES REDESIGNING AUSTRALIAN CITIES

Automobile major culprit of suburban sprawlAutomobile major culprit of suburban sprawl Graeme Davison in CAR WARSGraeme Davison in CAR WARS

Light railways or high-speed tramsLight railways or high-speed trams Port Melbourne 109 linePort Melbourne 109 line Adelaide and Perth Adelaide and Perth Portland, SLC, St Louis, San Diego in USAPortland, SLC, St Louis, San Diego in USA Canberra would be excellent city to develop light railCanberra would be excellent city to develop light rail

Rethink maximum size of citiesRethink maximum size of cities Germany as modelGermany as model

Rob Adams, Melbourne Director of City Planning and DesignRob Adams, Melbourne Director of City Planning and Design

Development of urban corridors for transportDevelopment of urban corridors for transport Medium density housing – 4-8 stories Medium density housing – 4-8 stories All developers will be required to provide 25% affordable housing in any residential redevelopmentAll developers will be required to provide 25% affordable housing in any residential redevelopment

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

Perma-culture and organic agriculturePerma-culture and organic agriculture

Community and urban gardensCommunity and urban gardens

Shift to vegetarianism and veganismShift to vegetarianism and veganism

Livestock in particular requires enormous parcels of land and results in methane emissionsLivestock in particular requires enormous parcels of land and results in methane emissions

Bioregionalism in terms of food distribution and consumptionBioregionalism in terms of food distribution and consumption

Consume what is in seasonConsume what is in season

Maintain and restore forests Maintain and restore forests

Preserve old-growth forests Preserve old-growth forests

THE POPULATION BUGABOO THE POPULATION BUGABOO

Tim Flannery in THE FUTURE EATERS asserts that Australia overpopulated Tim Flannery in THE FUTURE EATERS asserts that Australia overpopulated

Optimum 6 – 12M Optimum 6 – 12M

Greatest population growth occurs in poorest countriesGreatest population growth occurs in poorest countries

Eliminate social inequality and population will stabilise, even eventually Eliminate social inequality and population will stabilise, even eventually diminishdiminish

John Bodley in ANTHROPOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY HUMAN PROBLEMS John Bodley in ANTHROPOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY HUMAN PROBLEMS (2008) (2008)

A ‘more equitable distribution of economic resources would help slow A ‘more equitable distribution of economic resources would help slow population growth; however, it is crucial that improvements in the population growth; however, it is crucial that improvements in the economic conditions of households be accompanied by policy changes economic conditions of households be accompanied by policy changes that give women more control over fertility decisions making.’ that give women more control over fertility decisions making.’

CONCLUSION ON THE REAL UTOPIAN VISION OF DEMOCRATIC CONCLUSION ON THE REAL UTOPIAN VISION OF DEMOCRATIC ECO-SOCIALISMECO-SOCIALISM

Struggle for democratic eco-socialism will require long and protracted Struggle for democratic eco-socialism will require long and protracted strugglestruggle

Not inevitable Not inevitable May fry much of planet before meaningful change occursMay fry much of planet before meaningful change occurs

Must come to grips with realities of post-revolutionary societiesMust come to grips with realities of post-revolutionary societies

Characterised by excessive social inequality, authoritarianism, Characterised by excessive social inequality, authoritarianism, brutality, and environmental degradationbrutality, and environmental degradation

Why were there discrepancies between ideals and realities of Why were there discrepancies between ideals and realities of socialismsocialism

‘‘Real utopian’ visions crucial to transformation of the world and Real utopian’ visions crucial to transformation of the world and AustraliaAustralia