In this Edition – Kc Journal N0 27 July 2011 – July 27, 2011

Dear Comrades and Friends

Welcome to the second edition of the Khanya Journal for 2011. The theme of this edition is the environment, COP17 and resistance, a timely focus in the run- up to the United Nations’ Annual Conference on Climate Change. The conference will be the seventeenth ‘Conference of the Parties” or COP17, and will be held in Durban in November later this year. As outlined in our editorial, it is imperative that we take a stand and mobilise all communities to ensure that governments not only make a binding international agreement to reduce carbon emissions but that they commit to implement this agreement immediately. Climate change is not negotiable!

The first section of this edition focuses on climate change. In the first article, John Treat explains what global warming is, why the earth is warming and the role of methane in global warming. He particularly highlights the need for popular mobilisation to ensure that COP17 contributes to climate justice now. The second article is an extract from an article syndicated from the world Socialist Party. It discusses ecology and gives brief history of the earth and human life.

Anita Khanna’s article focuses on climate change in Africa, in particular its effects in the Sahel region that has been ravaged by drought. In the last article in this section, Adam Booth looks at who is to blame for climate change. Although he argues that individuals should take responsibility for their consumption patterns, the major source of climate change and global warming is from capitalist industrialisation.

In the next section on COP17, Patrick Bond, in his article ‘From Bonn to Durban…’, argues that the UN climate meetings are ‘conference of polluters’. He goes on to question whether activists can change the balance of forces. The article is followed by extracts from the work plan of the Joint Civil Society actions for COP17, in the run up to COP17 in Durban, to inform our readers. The third section focuses on community struggles and the environment. In the first article in this section, Angela Conway discusses fracking, the method of breaking up underground rock by pumping millions of litres of water, sand and chemicals under high pressure, into the earth. Conway highlights the dangers of fracking for the environment, for small scale farmers and workers. The second article in this section is also by Angela Conway. Here she discusses the economic and social effects of using agricultural land for golf courses in the Southern Cape. The third article is by Janise Botstsander. It is an account of Willem Vink’s experience with dangerous chemicals. Willem is a general worker for Murraysburg who sustained   burns from using harsh chemicals without protective clothing. He was later dismissed for being unable to work.

In the fourth article, Lebohang Mokoena discusses the causes of air pollution and its effects on the people’s health in Sasolburg, in the Vaal region. Mokoena argues that in developing countries like South Africa, governments should do more to control pollution. The last two articles in this section focus on food security. Vandana Cowley discusses the meaning of global food security in the context of rising food prices and harsh socio economic conditions. She also discusses the particular burden that falls on woman in times of economic crises. Jacklyn Cock in her article discusses the relation between climate change, food security and future production. She also engages with issues of power and inequality, and how poor people in the South will be the worst affected by climate change.

The fourth section focuses on alternative perspective and critiques in the struggle for climate justice. This section aims to present as many different views as possible. The first article by Adam Booth is a traditional programme for the environment. This is followed by an interview on eco socialism and ‘feasible environmental solutions’ by Leslie Richmond. We have reproduced extracts from the One Million Climate Jobs Campaign that explains the benefits to social and the need for climate jobs. The final article in this section by Patrick Bond. He discusses the work and methods of Greenpeace, an international non government organisation. Bond argues that Greenpeace needs to organise more consistently with local communities and local activist. The two last sections contain the Documents of the Social Movements and the Barometer of Resistance, two regular features of the Journal. The Guardians of the Gardens Route, based in the Southern Cape. This is followed by the programme of work of Khanya College to ensure that climate justice is not negotiable. The third document is the Indigenous People’s Declaration of the RIGHTS of MOTHER EARTH, drawn up in Bolivia in 2010. there are many colleagues and comrades who made edition possible; too many to mention. As Khanya Journal we thank all of you, and all those who responded to our call for articles. We have included all the articles submitted. For particular support with this edition, despite their workload, our thanks go Makoma Lekalakala and Rehad Desai. A special thanks to the comrades we co-opted to our reference group, John Treat and Anita Khanna in making this a more comprehensive edition.

In solidarity