Solarpunks of the world unite
You have nothing to lose but your carbon emissions
Some try and frame sustainability as only the concern to ‘virtue-signalling’ elites who are against the interests of the working poor.
The truth is quite the opposite. Building a deliciously sustainable future is an amazing opportunity to make a more equal world, where everyone can prosper.
This International Workers Day we’re focusing on a key part of ensuring a just transition to a democratic solarpunk future - the world’s labour movements.
Why the international labour movement?
The organisational and resource power of organised labour has played a central part in a whole host of social justice campaigns.
Today is celebrated as International Worker’s Day because it marks the anniversary of a general strike in Chicago fighting to reduce working hours.
Another example is how the strikes organised by South African unions were a key part of the struggle to overthrow the racist apartheid regime in South Africa.
As the image by Ricardo Levins Morales below shows, labour movement campaigns have brought us a whole host of working rights.
Viva la transición
Organised labour is a potentially powerful force for ensuring the transition to Net Zero is a just one.
This episode of Reasons to Be Cheerful talks about how unions have been helping see that the closure of one nation’s coal industry is fair.
Spanish unions have partnered with their government and private energy companies to win £221 million. This money is for miners effected by the closure of the country’s last mines.
The funds will help pay for reskilling and new employment that local communities will be involved in deciding.
Suggestions have included investing in tourism, cultural heritage, sustainable transport and more for these areas.
Around the world
Unions from around the world have been joining the call for a fair shift to a net zero world.
Trade Unions for Energy Democracy have been highlighting how labour organisations from across Africa, Latin America and beyond have been campaigning for a just transition.
The British Trade Union Congress have called for a national Just Transition Commission. Like the Spanish ending of coal mining, this would see government, energy providers and unions coordinate a fair shift to Net Zero.
The United Steelworkers US and Canada “advocates for putting working people at the centre of policies about the climate crisis, working alongside local Indigenous communities and those most affected to create solutions.”
Solarpunk needs unions
In our article, SolarPunks for a 4 Day Week, we described what the decline of organised labour meant for fairness in society.
The weakening of collective bargaining meant that technological and productivity gains did not translate into reduced working time as they had done in the past.
We cannot let this continue. The chances of adapting, augmenting and transforming our societies for the better are going to be much higher if trade unions are active partners in making it happen.
Unions need solarpunks
You can help see that organised labour helps play a part in building the solarpunk future by:
Joining a union if you aren’t already part of one.
Being a member of a unionised workplace brings you a whole host of benefits and protections. It also means you can speak up inside your union to champion solarpunk policies.
Below are examples of how, regardless of your employment status, you can join a union in the UK:
If you’re self-employed, freelance or in the gig economy you can join the union Community here.
If you’re in employment find out which union you can join and how from the Trades Union Council site.
If you’re unemployed, a student or retired you can join the Unite community membership scheme here.
If you’re already in a union:
Argue for policies that support things like a Green New Deal and a just transition from within it.
Encourage yours to sign up Trade Unions for Energy Democracy.
We’ve provided examples of how to join a union in the UK. Can you share any handy guides of how to do so from other countries?
Do you have any other example of labour movements doing good things to support a Just Transition? Let us know in the comments below.
Until Next Time
That's all for this update. If you like what we’re trying to do here and know someone else who might do too then please share.
See you in the sunshine,
Alastair JR Ball & Alex Holland