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AntiCapitalist MeetUp: First steps beyond the Anthropocene [1]

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Date: 2024-09-29

The current media frame is that ending coal in the UK is a “historic moment… a story about unions & an employer working together to ensure no worker is left behind.” In 1882 the UK built the first coal powered electricity power station and the social history of coal in the UK remains pivotal to the history of the industrial revolution. We need a plethora of ‘good first steps’ toward degrowth that delimit the expropriative tendencies of neoliberal capitalism.

However important for a G7 country the reality is more about rising Chinese coal production over the past decade as well as international commitments to renewable energy production and the social structure of accumulation. Net Zero constructs are insufficient to meet the current planning targets. Many net-zero targets remain uncertain and postpone into the future critical action that needs to take place now. Capitalism cannot control its fossil fuel addiction even with valorizing incentives. Global coal markets must change no differently than the problems of shadow fossil fuel markets. The real goal is harmonized industrial planning policy despite globalization.

Neo-liberalism remains vested in the counterintuitive trope of deregulation as if it is impossible to think circularly (or doughnut-like) and consider the necessity of configuring anti-carbon markets beyond voluntaristic constructions. Anticarbon taxing is nothing if not committed to postcapitalist market and planning solutions even as it’s more than making carbon price decisions. Carbon credit/debt is not the only measure of sustainability credit/debt manifest as capital inequality. Capitalism as a mode of production may be a historically metabolic punctuated equilibrium unlike the general equilibrium debates under analytic marxism.

For example a “dual carbon economy concept recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental and economic objectives, emphasizing the importance of innovation, investment, and policy alignment to drive the transition toward a more sustainable future.” (Xu & Gu 2024)

The simplest binary segmentation of a “dual” economy reminds us how metabolic the solutions must be seen in terms of disciplinarity and governmentality. A 1% increase in the poverty ratio results in a 0.17% rise in carbon footprint, underscoring the influence of socio-economic factors on sustainability.

Our thinking cannot be distracted by ruthless criticism of concepts like the Capitalocene to more empirical research programs like the geospatial analysis of eco-financial capital as law and political economy problems. It is more than incentivizing but seeing dualistic economies as dialectically converging and diverging. The comprehensive integration and analysis of demographic, social, economic, and political (DSEP) factors demand immanent and imminent attention.

To foster a dual carbon economy and promote sustainability in advanced economies, a comprehensive approach involving policy initiatives across various sectors is imperative. Firstly, policies aimed at enhancing green economic prosperity should prioritize investments in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, while phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels. Implementing carbon pricing mechanisms and incentivizing green innovation and entrepreneurship can further propel the shift towards a low-carbon economy. Secondly, developing smart sustainable cities is crucial, emphasizing urban planning strategies that prioritize energy efficiency, public transportation, green spaces, and effective waste management systems. Promoting the adoption of smart technologies and sustainable infrastructure can bolster urban resilience and reduce carbon emissions. Thirdly, advancing socially sustainable literacy through green education initiatives is essential. Integrating sustainability education into school curricula and vocational training programs can empower individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt sustainable lifestyles and practices. Additionally, sustainable media programs can play a pivotal role in raising awareness and encouraging sustainable behaviors among the general public through informative and engaging content. Lastly, fostering sustainable governance concepts involves promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making processes across all levels of government. Implementing policies that prioritize environmental conservation, social equity, and economic prosperity can establish a robust foundation for a sustainable future. www.nature.com/...

On Monday, the very last coal-powered electricity plant in Britain is closing. The coal age is over in the country that sparked the industrial revolution 200 years ago. In a matter of hours, the boilers at the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station — each the height of a 12-story building — will cool to the touch. The fireballs of pulverized coal that created the steam will go dark. The four 500-megawatt turbines will cease their once ceaseless spinning. And the remnants of a once towering mountain of coal that powered the plant for 57 years will be a layer of dust ready to be swept away. [...] Now Britain is the first in the global club of wealthy countries to quit coal — relying instead on natural gas, nuclear power and a combination of renewable energy sources. Others in the Group of 7 will follow: Italy (2025), Canada (2030) and Germany (2038). Three-quarters of the 38 OECD countries, too, are expected to eliminate coal power by 2030. The United States is also moving away from coal, though more slowly than climate advocates want. A quarter century ago, coal generated more than half the electricity in America. Today it accounts for about 18 percent. www.washingtonpost.com/...? x Britain was a country powered by coal. Now it’s the first G-7 nation to quit it. The coal age is over in the country that sparked the industrial revolution 200 years ago. https://t.co/PK0oXXejDR — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 29, 2024

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