GND Media

We've spoken to alot of degrowthers on this show, all coming from slightly different angles on the problems facing the planet. This week we are heading to Japan, to hear from one of the most prominent thinkers on Marx, to see how marxism and degrowth are really singing on the same hymn sheet. This week on the show Ads and Andrew are joined by Philosopher Kohei Saito to discuss Degrowth Communism. Kohei Saito is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Tokyo, and the best selling author of "Capital in the Anthropocene" (which sold over 500,00 copies in Japan), Marx in the Anthropocene and his new book "Slow Down: The degrowth Communist Manifesto". Topics discussed The popularity of Kohei's books on Marx in Japan Marx on nature and the metabolic rift Historical Materialism How Degrowth is an extension of Marx's own work. How to get move on from "Capitalist common sense" to abundance. The Japanese Left. How do we start putting these ideas into practice. Links You can get a copy of Kohei's latest book "Slow Down: The Degrowth Communist Manifesto" at the link below. https://www.waterstones.com/book/slow-down/kohei-saito/9781399612975 shout out Kohei's kids for inspiring him to keep fighting for a better world. Support the Show.

50% of all new cars are SUV's, which may come as a surprise to you, considering the various noises around the world about moves to green transport. Is this just people with more disposable income wanting bigger cars, is it for the prestige? Or do car companies need you to buy bigger? This week on the show Lucy and Andrew are joined by political economist Dr Tom Haines-Doran, to discuss his recent paper " The financialisation of car consumption". They discuss how the car industry is slowly destroying itself through over production, why fiance and debt companies want you to own a bigger car, why the majority of cars are pretty much the same and the fall out of the the botched Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in Levenshulme. Links Read Tom's paper "The financialisation of car consumption" Here https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/204987/ Read " The political economy of car dependence: A systems of provision approach" Here https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629620300633 Shout out Streets for People- @s4plb Walk Ride GM- @WalkRideGM Support the Show.

When people think about environmentalists, the next words they probably say are, "Oh, like Extinction Rebellion?" The impact of XR on the the climate movement probably can't be over stated. From ubiquitous association to the effects on organising practice, Extinction Rebellion has been at the forefront of climate action for the last five years. In the U.K many campaigns and activist are holding their breath, waiting for the Labour Party to take the reins of government, so the question is: what next for XR? This week Ads and Andrew are joined by XR and Just Stop Oil co-founder Roger Hallam. They discuss how the efffects of climate change spurred Roger into working on building a climate movement, how XR was built, its successes and shortcomings, why revolution is the only answer now as we head past 1.5 degrees and why citzens assemblies can be the mechanism for the revolution. Check out Roger's "The Work We Need to Do" here https://drive.google.com/file/d/13UFxnwIEb4afjEzRdZQ72WUtLvvPB0PM/view?ref=rogerhallam.com Roger's Website https://rogerhallam.com/ Shout out You can check out Rogers humanity project and get involved here. https://rogerhallam.com/humanity/ Support the Show.

Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gndmediauk Twitter: @gndmediauk Instagram: gndmediauk This week on the show we are joined by the Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Zack Polanski. We discuss how Zack ended up in the Green Party, what makes the party different from Labour, what would a Green Party in Government mean for British industry and how Zack sees personal choices versus systemic change. Shout Out United voices of the world https://www.uvwunion.org.uk/en/ Support the Show.

If there is any one word that is synonymous with tackling climate change it is “electrification”. Yes, getting off fossil fuels and taking the majority of CO2 out of our economy are the goals of many working on the climate, but if there was one silver bullet for the climate movement its generating more clean electricity. Renewable forms of energy have sharply decreased in price over the last twenty years, and battery storage solutions are coming on in leaps and bounds, but most of the world is still tied to oil and gas for their electricity use. So our question today is: Why aren't we moving faster on the green energy transition? luckily we've found a guy who might know. Our guest today is Brett Christophers, Brett is a political economist and economic geographer, and has just published his new book “The Price is Wrong “Why capitalism won’t save the Planet “ on Verso books. Andrew and Lucy discuss with Brett why the energy sector is so complex, how it favors fossil fuel based energy production , why isn't investment pouring into green energy and how china and India's energy needs should be a focus for the years to come. Links Pick up a copy of Brett's book here https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3069-the-price-is-wrong Shout out https://heatmap.news/ Support the Show.

It's our yearly stock take, where are we now in the fight to save the planet, and what do we need to do, to make progress faster? Friend of the show Professor Kevin Anderson joins us to cut through the crap and get the heart of the matter. Kevin is the chair of energy and climate change at the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) at the University of Manchester and works at the Tyndall center for climate change research. Ad's and Andrew discuss how much more carbon has been emitted since last year, Why there is political cowardice at the top of the UK's politics, why inequality and climate change are intrinsically linked and how the framing around "Net Zero" has done more damage than good. This episode was recorded before the Labour Party dropped their £28bn a year pledge on green investment. Thanks lads. Shout out Rena Jones- Notts and Derbyshire councils and all the climate officers at local authorities fighting hard for change with no resources. Support the Show.

You would be very hard pressed to say 2023 was not an awful year for natural disasters and climate related tragedy. Wildfires in Canada and the US, extreme flooding in Bulgaria and Bangladesh, and record breaking heatwaves in Northern Africa and the Mediterranean. When the science is pointing in this direction, of destruction and chaos and those in power aren't listening, what do you do? This week we are joined by Peter Kalmus, Climate scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California*. Peter is also a member of Science Rebellion and co-founder of Undeniable Network. We discuss how NASA plays it part in monitoring the changes in the earths climate, how he speaks to his family about climate change, what is the science behind reversing climate change and what political action needs to take place to do that. Then we discuss the importance of the next US election, and how it affects the global effort get off fossil fuels. *Peter Kalmus speaks on behalf of himself and not NASA. Links undeniable network Check out Peter's book "Live Well and Spark the Climate Revolution" https://peterkalmus.net/books/ Shout Out Peter's brothers and sisters in Scientist Rebellion Support the Show.

To say the modern world is dependent on materials we dig out of the ground is an understatement. From the lithium in your phone battery to the cup you're drinking your tea in, mining and mineral extraction play a vital part of how survive on earth. With the race to get off fossil fuels, and electrify our entire transport network kicking off, dependency on rare earth minerals like lithium is going to increase, and the conditions of the people mining it brought ever to our attention. This week on the show Lucy and Andrew are joined by Thea Riofrancos, Professor at Providence College in the US and the author of "Resource Radicals" and "A Planet to Win". They discuss how Lithium is a key resource when it comes to the transition away from fossil fuels, how mineral exploitation in South America has shaped the politics of the region and how Unions are now driving the just transition in the Americas. Links Check out Thea's website here https://www.theariofrancos.com/ The Lithium Problem (interview by Alyssa Battistoni). Dissent, 2023. https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/the-lithium-problem Electric vehicles alone won’t take us to a decarbonized future. The Hill, 2023 https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3861795-electric-vehicles-alone-wont-take-us-to-a-decarbonized-future/ Chile: White Gold Rush. Chatham House’s The World Today, 2022 https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2022-06/chile-white-gold-rush Shifting Mining from the Global South Misses the Point of Climate Justice. Foreign Policy, 2022 https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/07/renewable-energy-transition-critical-minerals-mining-onshoring-lithium-evs-climate-justice/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921 Shoutout Friend of the show Asad Rahman of War on Want, for his stirring speech at COP 28 on Palestine. Support the Show.

2023 is over and the battle for 2024 is about to begin. It's the end of the year so gather round the wireless to hear Ads, Alex, Lucy and Andrew discuss where we are at a end of 2023 and guess which of us had some very strong one nation Tory opinions as a child. Have a fantastic Christmas and see you in 2024. Support the Show.

The worlds biggest climate negotiations are happening as you read this, in Dubai at COP28. The President of COP has just said "There is no scientific basis for climate change" ...... I think its time to take a breather, go outside and hangout with nature, and think a little locally. This week Ad's is joined by Paul Handrick aka "The Bee Guy". Paul runs the worlds first native wild Bee sanctuary, based in the republic of Ireland. They discuss how Paul transitioned from gigging musician to running the only organic vegan farm in Ireland, the problem with the profit motive, frustrations working with the environment movement and how everyone can support Bees, Insects and other wildlife in their own gardens. Links Follow the link below for more info on the Bee sanctuary. https://savingbees.ie/ Shout out CEO responsible futures Sam Cande Support the Show.

The world’s attention right now is focused on the desperate situation in Gaza. This human catastrophe has major ramifications for the wider Arab region encompassing North Africa and the Gulf States, an area that is also at the heart of fossil capitalism and thus an important region when it comes to turning the planet away from hydrocarbons and climate catastrophe. While being the generator of 35% of the all the hydrocarbons in the world, it is also the site of potentially immense green energy. So how might a just transition take place here? And how do the political and environmental conditions of the region shape this transition? This week Alex is joined by Hamza Hamouchene ( @BenToumert) and Katie Sandwell ( @KatieSandwell) the editors of a new collection of essays called "Dismantling Green Colonialism, Energy and Climate Justice in the Arab Region" Hamza and Katie both work for the Transitional Institute, an international research and advocacy institute committed to building a just, democratic and sustainable planet. They discuss with Alex how Fossil Capitalism is already scooping up land for renewables and carbon offsets in the Arab region, how the World Bank and the IMF along with local elites push the Arab region toward extractive industries instead of focusing on climate adaption. How Green Colonialism has developed in the region and what a Just Transition would look like, that does not put North Africa at the service of Europe. Links Pick up a copy of Hamza and Katie's book from Pluto Press Here https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745349213/dismantling-green-colonialism/#:~:text='A%20brave%20and%20timely%20book Shout outs Palestinians in Gaza and the Diaspora Social justice and environmental justice activist in Arab region. Mohad Gasmi: currently in prison in Algeria for criticizing the current government. You can learn more about what has happened to Mohad Here https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/case/human-rights-defender-sentenced-3-years-prison Support the Show.

For the final episode of this season of Working Class Voices, it's time to end with some real inspiration. Ad's sits down with Alice Hu (@tweetsbyANH) of New York Communities for Change (@nychange), a working class community action group. Alice explain's how they organised across the issues of immigration, housing and good jobs to be more effect climate activists, How hurricane Sandy's effects on New York City spurned on climate action, and how to run a successful, diverse working class protest. Links New York Communities for Change. https://www.nycommunities.org/ Here's Ad's article from the start of the series. https://www.gndmedia.co.uk/articles/happy-flowers-dont-win Support the Show.

We're on the home stretch of season two of working class voices. This week Ad's is joined by Duncan Exley . Duncan's work helps bring class diversity to institutions and support working class campaigners. They discuss the difference between working class and middle class campaigning, How one posh friend can change your life, the power of pride and humiliation and how we should be campaigning around a Just Transition. Links Resolution Foundation Duncan's book The End of Aspiration : social mobility and our children's fading prospects. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-end-of-aspiration Support the Show.

We all know that the Green New Deal is bold and ambitious in its vision, providing the solutions to the climate crisis that go hand in hand with solutions for social justice – a prosperous future where everyone can thrive. Tune into this recording of our Lucy speaking at a panel event, hosted by Green New Deal Groupon 26 October, exploring further how a Green New Deal gives us reason to hope not only for the climate emergency, but also economic, social and racial justice. Featuring Caroline Lucas, Ellen Fearon of GND Rising and Tyronne Scott of War on Want. Support the Show.

This week's episode is about action, community and not waiting for the council to come and sort it for you and how even those with the least can be leaders in the fight against climate breakdown. Ads is joined by Terry McTernan, Secretary of the Darkwood Crew in Ferguslie Park , Scotland. Ferguslie Park has consistently been at the bottom of Scottish league tables for economic development and poverty, with decades of Holyrood led initiatives to try and change that and with little luck. Terry and his community decided it was their turn, for the working class to decide how to change their part of the world for the better. Ads and Terry discuss how the Darkwood Crew knits community support and climate action together, how years of top down approaches from government haven't helped Ferguslie Park, the practical work of running successful community groups and how Ferguislie Park Community Council was formed. Links Ferguslie Community Council Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/fergusliecommunitycouncil Darkwood Crew- Ferguslie community environment group. https://darkwoodcrew.co.uk/ Support the Show.

This week on Working Class Voices Ads' is joined by writer and activist Keir Milburn. Keir is the author of “Generation Left” and is a co-host of ACFM on Novara Media. Keir is also a founding member of the think tank Abundance. They discuss how the definition of who is working class affects organising strategies, are the working class more resilient to police oppression and brutality and has this had an affect on groups like XR? Keir discusses the Spy Cops scandal, Why the working class has to build its own institutions to save the just transition from venture capital, the cycles of social movements and what the left needs to do when Starmer takes power. Links ACFM- Keir's podcast with Nadia Idle and Jeremy Gilbert https://novaramedia.com/category/audio/acfm/ Red Plenty Games https://redplentygames.com/ Abundance https://www.in-abundance.org/ Under cover policing inquiry (Spy Cops inquiry ) https://www.ucpi.org.uk/ Support the Show.

Fossil fuels and the companies that extract and distribute them are everywhere. Those companies seep into society from powering our homes, to buying off politicians and owning the sports teams we love. When these levithans take over our passions and interests, what should we do about it? This week on Working Class Voices Ads is joined by Michael from Game Changer, the campaign to get football clubs to drop fossil fuel sponsorships. They discuss Micheal's journey from watching documentaries to organising football fans against fossil fuel companies, How those oil companies capture culture, and the challenges of bringing football fans into the climate movement. Links The Big Step: Campaign against advertising gambling in sports Calling Time Scotland : The campiagn to kick out alcohol advertising in sports. Game Changer Get in contact with the Game Changer campaign below. gamechanger@platformlondon.org Support the Show.

This week we are organising for power, in more ways than one. Andrew is joined by Lawrence Wang (@ltothewang), a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (@DemSocialists), and on the Eco-socialist working group for the New York City Chapter (@Nycdsa). Lawrence explains how the DSA in New York State organised and passed a bill that means the state has to develop publicly owned renewable energy generation. We discuss the DSA's mission and how it approaches politics in the USA, the tactics and strategy that got their legalisation passed and how they ended up running AGAINST one of the sponsors of the bill they were pushing through the congress! Cheat sheet for the episode DSA: Democratic Socialist of America BPRA : Build Public Renewables Act NYA : New York Power Authority IRA: Inflation Reduction Act Links Democratic Socialists of America DSA New York Chapter NYC DSA Eco-socialists Lawrence's recent article in Jacobin about the BPRA https://jacobin.com/2023/07/new-york-bpra-green-new-deal-public-renewable-energy Shout Outs Stop Cop City Pine Tree Power Our Power coalition Maine DSA Support the Show.

This week we are organising for power, in both senses of the word. Andrew is joined by Lawrence Wang, a member of the democratic socialists of America (@DemSocialists), and on the Eco-socialist organising group for the New York City Chapter (@Nycdsa). Lawrence explains how the DSA in New York State organised and passed an Bill that means the state has to develop publicly owned renewable energy generation. We discuss What the DSAs mission is and how it approaches politics in the USA, the tactics and strategy that got their legalisation passed and how they ended up running AGAINST one of the sponsors of the bill they were pushing through the congress! Cheat sheet for the episode DSA: Democratic Socialist of America BPRA : Build Public Renewables Act NYA : New York Power Authority Shout Outs Stop Cop City Pine Street Power Our Power Coalition Maine DSA Support the show

This week Ads is joined by Fraser Stewart. Fraser is the just transition lead at Regen, a non for profit focused on pushing the UK towards cleaner energy. They discuss how weirdly similar their lives have been as working class lads in the environment movement, how the working class manage in middle class spaces, what are the best ways to talk about climate to people who are already struggling and how starting with reality is better than rhetoric. Links Frasers' article "New Tools" https://fraserjfstewart-17.medium.com/new-tools-29028eacf86a Support the Show.