Coventry and Nuneaton join global protests against climate change

Outside Coventry City Council

Friday 15th March saw students across the world take part in a strike to protest against environmental damage and climate change. This follows the recent release of a report by the UN which claims that we have 12 years to cut down on carbon emissions before we reach the planets carbon limit, the point of no return.

Global protests involving young people have started to take place in reaction to this. Young people today look forward to a bleak future and will face the harshest consequences of the capitalist systems systemic exploitation of the earth. Capitalism is a profit-driven system. The logic of profit that drives big business and the system as a whole has led to the exploitation of the earths natural resources, such as oil, gas and rare minerals, to return a quick buck for the capitalist class whilst the rest of us have to deal with the consequences. This is evident by the fact that just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions (Guardian, 2017: Just 100 Companies Responsible for 71% of Global Emissions, Study Says).

Students locally, in Coventry and Nuneaton, have been protesting to raise awareness of this and the long-term effects this profit driven environmental race to the bottom will have on future generations. Chants such as ‘Say no to climate change, we need system change’ reflect the anger faced by many young people at the planets future prospect. This also points towards the solution.

As environmental destruction and capitalism are completely entwined, we will not be able to tackle climate change without a systemic change in the way society is organised. We need to take the power out of the hands of big business and the Trumps of the world, who their balance sheets over the environment. Instead we need a socialist society, one where ordinary people have control over their communities and how society is run.

Take housing for example, we are in dire need of more affordable housing, especially here in Coventry. A democratically controlled house-building programme would allow our community to have a say in how we build the homes for those who need them now and future generations. We could ensure that all houses built were energy efficient and not reliant on fossil fuels but instead utilised renewable energy and the technology we have available to build a green economy. This however won’t be done by private business or business friendly politicians, we have seen with the Grenfell tragedy that for them only profit talks.

To do this we need to build effective organisations rooted in the working class, who have the power to change society. Students should seek to organise effective student unions in their schools and on their campuses, which can link with the wider trade union movement. The power to change society lies within our hands, but only if we use the tools at our disposal to make that change happen by building a socialist society.

If you agree with this then contact the Socialist Party to learn how you can join the fight against climate change, capitalism and for a socialist future.

Complete the form below for more information, and we will be in touch!