The movement for change needs to be much, much larger and be based
firmly in the wider working class, both in the community and in the
workplace. It must be willing to not only make demands of government but
to challenge capitalism directly. Those at the point of production, who
have the power to bring everything to a halt, have a critical role.
Imagine port workers refusing to let imported Brazilian soya into the
country. Imagine the fossil fuel workers refusing to work anymore and
demanding full pay until they get alternative jobs.
However, it is not easy to integrate the union movement into the
environmental movement. Take the example of Port Talbot. This steelworks
was the 2nd highest source of CO2 from any single site in the UK.
Transitioning this steelworks is expected to make a significant impact
on the UK's emissions. The steel works created high levels of PM10 air
pollution that blows all over the area. Decarbonising steelworks is
necessary in order to tackle the climate emergency as well as pollution
for local communities. But what about the workers? 3000 jobs have been
lost as only a few hundred workers are needed for the new operation.
This will have a devastating impact on workers, their families and the
community.
The campaign against the third runway is another example of conflict
between environmentalists, supported by residents, and the workers.
According to the General Secretary of Unite: "We welcome Heathrow's
commitment to UK produced steel and we look forward to further
cooperation with Heathrow Airport and the government on the much needed
third runway."
Many industries that provide jobs for thousands of workers in the UK and
millions around the world, are major producers of CO2 emissions. The
government's attitude towards climate change is largely based on
ensuring corporations can continue to make profits. At Port Talbot they
allow 3000 jobs to go so emissions will be reduced and then in Northeast
Scotland and the Shetlands they support more drilling in the North Sea
which will provide jobs and increase emissions. Many talk about a 'Just
Transition'- but clearly that is not happening. Workers in Port Talbot
can hardly move to the north of Scotland to get these new jobs that are
meant to appear. What both actions have in common is supporting big
corporations in their drive for more profits.
Workers need to take control of the transition, not leave it in the
hands of corporations and government. But as long as corporations and
profits are the main aim of the economic system and the government,
there will be no Just Transition. In fact, there will be the worst of
both worlds- no serious action against climate change and any
greenwashing actions will be at the expense of the workers.
There have been some examples of this happening. Back in 1976 workers at
Lucas Aerospace put forward an alternative plan to weapons production
and the idea is currently being revived. 1 Workers at the Belfast
shipyards, threatened with closure, have plans for producing
infrastructure for renewable energy. In Italy, workers at a closed car
factory are putting proposals forward for an alternative green
production plan. 2 We need to overcome the jobs vs environment division.
Only with a complete change in the system can we deal with climate
change and social and economic justice issues.
---------------------
1 https://lucasplan.co.uk/
2
https://labourhub.org.uk/2023/12/22/italian-car-workers-fight-for-alternative-green-production-plan/
https://www.anarchistcommunism.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/jackdaw_D.pdf
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
firmly in the wider working class, both in the community and in the
workplace. It must be willing to not only make demands of government but
to challenge capitalism directly. Those at the point of production, who
have the power to bring everything to a halt, have a critical role.
Imagine port workers refusing to let imported Brazilian soya into the
country. Imagine the fossil fuel workers refusing to work anymore and
demanding full pay until they get alternative jobs.
However, it is not easy to integrate the union movement into the
environmental movement. Take the example of Port Talbot. This steelworks
was the 2nd highest source of CO2 from any single site in the UK.
Transitioning this steelworks is expected to make a significant impact
on the UK's emissions. The steel works created high levels of PM10 air
pollution that blows all over the area. Decarbonising steelworks is
necessary in order to tackle the climate emergency as well as pollution
for local communities. But what about the workers? 3000 jobs have been
lost as only a few hundred workers are needed for the new operation.
This will have a devastating impact on workers, their families and the
community.
The campaign against the third runway is another example of conflict
between environmentalists, supported by residents, and the workers.
According to the General Secretary of Unite: "We welcome Heathrow's
commitment to UK produced steel and we look forward to further
cooperation with Heathrow Airport and the government on the much needed
third runway."
Many industries that provide jobs for thousands of workers in the UK and
millions around the world, are major producers of CO2 emissions. The
government's attitude towards climate change is largely based on
ensuring corporations can continue to make profits. At Port Talbot they
allow 3000 jobs to go so emissions will be reduced and then in Northeast
Scotland and the Shetlands they support more drilling in the North Sea
which will provide jobs and increase emissions. Many talk about a 'Just
Transition'- but clearly that is not happening. Workers in Port Talbot
can hardly move to the north of Scotland to get these new jobs that are
meant to appear. What both actions have in common is supporting big
corporations in their drive for more profits.
Workers need to take control of the transition, not leave it in the
hands of corporations and government. But as long as corporations and
profits are the main aim of the economic system and the government,
there will be no Just Transition. In fact, there will be the worst of
both worlds- no serious action against climate change and any
greenwashing actions will be at the expense of the workers.
There have been some examples of this happening. Back in 1976 workers at
Lucas Aerospace put forward an alternative plan to weapons production
and the idea is currently being revived. 1 Workers at the Belfast
shipyards, threatened with closure, have plans for producing
infrastructure for renewable energy. In Italy, workers at a closed car
factory are putting proposals forward for an alternative green
production plan. 2 We need to overcome the jobs vs environment division.
Only with a complete change in the system can we deal with climate
change and social and economic justice issues.
---------------------
1 https://lucasplan.co.uk/
2
https://labourhub.org.uk/2023/12/22/italian-car-workers-fight-for-alternative-green-production-plan/
https://www.anarchistcommunism.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/jackdaw_D.pdf
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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