Socialists and climate activists are not ideological enemies.

It is absolutely vital that we work together.

The IPCC has said that we need “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented change in all aspects of society” in order to deal with the climate and ecological emergency. In other words, the top scientists in the world are saying: we need system change.

As Herbert Marcuse wrote, “increasingly the ecological struggle comes into conflict with the capitalist system: the law of increased accumulation of capital, of the creation of sufficient surplus value, of the necessity of perpetuating alienated labour and exploitation.”

In other words, the core tenants of capitalism are the same destructive tendencies that are driving the climate emergency. Infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible, and yet capitalism depends on growth in order to function. The rich get richer and the planet burns.

But there is another way. And we need to be honest about what that entails... It means system change. It means reforming and extending our broken democracy. It means rewiring our economy so that it works in the interests of ordinary people and not the wealthy or the powerful.

And, the best thing is... that means the future can be better than the present. A just and sustainable world is a better, happier, and healthier world. But we will not be able to get there until we admit that there are huge systemic reasons for why we are failing.

I do not see a way in which we can tackle the climate and ecological emergency without also tackling the crises of capitalism and colonialism. Because those crises not just a part of the emergency - they are the emergency.

I suspect, deep down, most people know this already. We all know the current system is not working. So let’s please drop the pretence. We don’t have time for that anymore. Get out there and fight for real change.

Not piecemeal change wrapped in radical rhetoric. But genuine, lasting change that begins by examining the roots of this crisis. That is prepared to confront power. That dares to dream much bigger than our current moment. To a more happy, more healthy, more loving world.

All across the world, it is the poorest and the most marginalised people who will suffer the most. This is not an abstract crisis. People are dying now. People need our solidarity now. And this is an issue of social justice, whether you like it or not.

I think Saral Sarkar put it best when he said that any version of the ecological utopia “retains so many elements of the socialist ideal that it would be tantamount to deception if I were not to call it eco-socialism”.

Or... more simply... we’re all fighting for the same thing.

Last year, we won the debate. But, today, screaming about the emergency is no longer good enough. We need to tell all of the truth. Not just the parts that are easy.

The alarm has been raised. It is time to point towards the fire exits.

Who knows where the climate movement is going next. I hope more radical activists are able to pull the mainstream climate movement to the left... but who knows... the only thing we know for sure is that, right now, we are heading for catastrophe. And we all must resist.

It is so sad to see Extinction Rebellion publicly disavow socialism today, after an organised disinformation campaign by the far right... a sad indictment of the British climate movement... and a reminder of how much work we still need to do.

The choice, to me, is clear: socialism or extinction. There is no other path.

And the sooner both movements realise this... the better our chances of winning!

If anyone is just starting out on their journey as a climate activist, the book I always recommend is ‘This Changes Everything’ by @NaomiAKlein. But by all means get in touch and I can send over a longer list of GREAT stuff...

.......ANYWAY, that’s me done... sorry, that accidentally turned into a massive thread. My solidarity with you all. And my hope that the labour movement and the climate movement can learn to work together!